Podcasting

Pamela Wilson
BLOG 4
LS 589 W1

Podcasts

After I read Hendron’s article about Podcasting, I realized that this is a technology that I could use almost every week in my classroom. Since I have never owned an iPod or MP3 player and have no clue as to how to make a podcast, I have a lot to learn before I can use this technology in my classroom. That is why I decided to focus on podcasts for my fourth BLOG.

What are Podcasts?

Brian Bertucci writing for About.com (2009) states that podcasts are like radio programs. Podcasts can have many formats, but are accessible as video or audio files through the Internet. They can be published as a series to which the listener subscribes and can download to a portable media player. When a new podcast to which you have subscribed is published it will automatically download to your computer. You can then connect your portable media player and download the latest podcast to listen to at your convenience.

How do you get started listening to podcasts?

Bertucci (2009) states that the easiest way to get started listening to podcasts is to download iTunes from Apple Computers. It is a free download and once it is open you can go to the iTunes store and click on the option podcasts. This will take you to the iTunes podcast homepage where you can search for the types of podcasts that you want. You can preview a show, download a show or an episode. You can also subscribe to the episode.

How do you get started recording podcasts?

Bertucci (2009) lists software that can be purchased for podcasting such as Apple’s GarageBand and Sony’s Acid Xpress which you would want to purchase if your goal was to record high quality musical tracks. However, there is a free open source audio editor suitable for classroom recording which can be used on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is called Audacity Audio Editor. Audacity performs basic editing of audio tracks and transfers formats. According to Bertucci, beginners don’t have trouble understanding how to use Audacity. You can add effects to your audio file, but you cannot reverse the effects that you have added. So if you use a compressor to get a more even volume and it deteriorates the quality of the recording you either have to re-record or live with the results. The audio quality with Audacity is very good. Because Audacity is free and reliable, it allows people who would not normally be able to podcast to start podcasting. When you want to advance to a more powerful audio editor, Bertucci (2009) recommends Adobe’s Audition which is highly rated by radio stations.

Why should educators use technology like podcasting in their classrooms?

Johnston and Cooley (2001) recommend that teachers “provide opportunity for students to practice cognitive flexibility” (pg. 28). Cognitive flexibility recognizes that the information presented and the way in which it is presented has an effect on the learners. The more ways that we can present information and the more ways that students can respond to that information will impact learning. Podcasting is an alternative way of presenting information. It can be used by the teacher to save time and provide background and by the students to present projects.
Hendron (2008) states that podcasting was first used in higher education but is now catching on in the K-12 school forum. He states that podcasting can, “extend classroom walls and simply appeal to a growing number of students who carry MP3 players and cell phones that can playback podcasted content” (pg. 47-48). By using podcasts we can communicate with our students on a level that they are comfortable with and use every day. Why wouldn’t teachers want to use this?

References

Bertucci, B. (2009). About.com:Podcasting. New York: The New York Times Company. http://podcasting.about.com;od/basics101/a/PodcastListen.htm?p=1 (accessed 9/26/09).

Hendron, J. (2008). RSS for educators: Blogs, newsfeeds, podcasts, and wikis in the classroom. Eugene, OR:ISTE.

Johnston, M. & Cooley, N. (2001). What we know about: supporting new models of teaching and learning through technology. Arlington, Virginia: Educational Research Service.