Podcasting

I really like podcasts, I think they are great for the auditory learner.  I have actually listened to podcasts in the car on my way home from school.  I only wish I had more time in the day or made more of an effort to listen to more and different podcasts.  The podcasts I have listened to have all been through itunes.  I never really thought too much about looking elsewhere for different podcasts.  So the research completed in this module expanded my knowledge on the different types of podcasts available on the web.

Podcasts can be a powerful educational tool for today's learners.  Students are always plugged into their ipods or their phones, listening to music.  Why not have them listen to a short podcast related to the topic they are learning.  I think the key is short or brief podcast.  I imagine the students would get bored quickly and lose focus if it is too long.  I like the podcasts that have images or video, I think that is a way to keep the student interested and engaged.

I created a podcast for the upcoming fingerprint unit in my forensics class.  I created a short script to read and used soundcloud to record my podcast, which was very easy to use.  I then copied the html and embedded the podcast into my school website and this blog.  The podcast I created was on the technique to use when fingerprinting.  I plan to assign students the podcast for homework along with a short google form that I will use to collect feedback from the students. I started flipping my forensic class a few months ago, so the students are very familiar with accessing lessons on my website and completing google forms.  I will use the feedback to decide the next direction I take with creating and using podcasts in the classroom.  I think it would be great to have the students create a short podcast as part of their next class presentation.  Using podcasts meets the NETS-S standards 2, Communication and Collaboration and Standard 6, Technology Application and Concepts.