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Can You Hear (and See!) Me Now?
ideas for using podcasting
for all grade levels
An exciting technology that has recently proven to be a valuable tool in the social studies classroom is the podcast. The word “podcast” is derived from combining the words “iPod” and “broadcast”, and originally was defined as audio files that were subscribed to on the Internet, usually at no cost. However, podcasts can now include audio and video formats, and can be downloaded to iPod™ and MP3 products, as well as any computer hard-drive. So, podcasts are extremely versatile and easy to use.
A search on any of your favorite search engines, such as Google or Yahoo, will produce volumes of hits for educational podcasts. More specifically, web sites such as iTunes™, The Educational Podcast Network, or Podcast Station list hundreds of podcasts created purposely for use in the K-12 classroom. Topics include everything from the Civil War, to Indiana History, to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to the Boston Tea Party.
You can also create your own podcasts for your students to use year after year, or to share with other classrooms. And it is easy enough for even the least technology savvy! All you need is a microphone and freeware. For Macintosh users, you can use the Garageband™ software that came with your computer. And for PC users, you can download the open source software Audacity™. Your students are now ready to develop a script of what they would like to say, practice a little, and then record their program. That’s it! Your saved recording can now be downloaded to an iPod, and MP3 player, or any other computer hard-drive.
When you are comfortable with the process of developing your own classroom podcasts, you can snaz them up a little by including pictures or videos. Then you can save them for continued use in your classroom, or upload them to the internet and share them with the rest of the world! Podcasts are a great way to expand the learning environment of your class, and a surefire way to make the learning experience authentic and personally meaningful for your students. Have fun, be creative, and share your students’ podcasts!
For a selection of podcasts for different educational purposes, visit these links:
- StoryNory.com This site has several fables, classic and original new stories that are dramatically narrated and may be freely downloaded. Storynory regularly adds new audio stories to their collection of stories for children.
- Learn grammar through podcast episodes at Grammar Girl
- Listen to a podcast interview with Martin Dougiamas, creator of Moodle. (Note: This is a 13 MB download so do this with a fast connection or significant patience.
- A young student reads an Elementary Level Math Story Problem.
[To learn more about podcasts, register for the workshop "Podcasts in the Classroom" at the the Buddy Teaching & Learning Center (BTLC) web site.]
visit other tips for technology integration:
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