Using Podcasts to Engage 21st Century Learners

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I feel like I'm discovering the internet all over again. First was the blog, now it's podcasting. When I think of podcasts, I think of NPR's "Moth Radio Hour." I think of sharing stories and experiences with strangers. I think of making listeners laugh and stay tuned, even after 20 minutes has passed. And I question, how do I create a podcast just as interesting and fun?

As a future teacher to 21st century students, I need to adapt my classroom to fit those students' needs. These students use technology everyday, in almost all aspects of their lives. To really connect with students, I need to embrace new technology and different methods to reach them. Podcasts enable both students and educators to connect outside of the classroom without disrupting the lives of either party. Students do not have an assigned time to listen to the podcast, and with most mobile devices, students can listen to the episodes anywhere they would like.

Podcasts allow teachers to step out of traditional educator roles. No longer do the school days need to be filled with lecture. With the help of podcasts, students can listen to the lecture in their own time and then practice application of the information in the classroom. The podcasts are also a great way for students with a fear of public speaking to make a presentation at home for the remainder of the class to view. The possibilities of options with podcasts are endless.

One of my serious concerns is the actual production of the podcast. Creating a 30-second recording and then publishing it was a difficult process. If I were to have my students create individual podcasts, time would be a serious issue. Because everyone has access to different technology, I cannot simply have my students follow the same steps. So while the benefits of podcasting are great, including generating creativity and enabling students to access information anywhere, there are also numerous issues that I need to address in the future. Some problems include students not giving full attention during class time because the information is available in the podcast, and students only using podcasts to prepare for examinations rather than use all material provided.

I think both students and educators can learn a lot through podcasts, including developing creativity and comfort with recording themselves. Public speaking also develops with podcasts because the creator of the podcast is aware of his/her audience and performs accordingly.

The following link is to one of my favorite podcasts. I find Science Friday to be extremely informative and entertaining. If students can listen to and enjoy educational podcasts, what is to stop them from creating one on their own?

Science Friday Podcast

Thank you!

Confessions of a first time blogger!

We've all read blogs. Blogs for education. Blogs for technology. Blogs for oddly interesting things. Now it's our turn to channel our inner bloggers. 

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To start, let me just say, writing for an audience is rough. The education blogs I've read are interesting and chock-full of useful information. But being new to the blog world, I'm struggling to make this just as interesting and useful. I guess the old adage, "Practice makes perfect," is true. At least I hope so.

I'll admit I probably will not dedicate as much time to blogging as other education professionals I've read, but that could change. I'm still developing my own education philosophy and have yet to step foot into a classroom, so my current ideas have not been put into practice. Any education related material that I post at this point in time, is purely hypothetical supposition. I wonder when I will start to feel like the teacher I want to become, and likewise, when will my blog posts reflect that change?

I do like the concept of blogging, however, because it allows my future students and I to communicate in an open and honest manner. The students can post, almost like a daily diary entry, and only the other students in the class can read it. The personal communication supports a stronger student/teacher relationship. I see blogs as both potentially useful and dangerous. Useful because they enable easy content sharing, peer communication, and virtual diary. Yet, dangerous because, as the teacher, I will most likely become the mediator between students. In the classroom, open discussion is easier. Online, however, students may need encouragement to progress a blog conversation. The fun of blogging may get lost if the students cannot see the blogging as anything other than an additional assignment.

In addition to pushing students to blog, I will need to stress the importance of online integrity and internet responsibility. Internet bullying is an ever growing issue, and as the responsible party, I need to make my students accountable for their posts. If there are instances of inappropriate language, content, or bullying I need to step in immediately. Before starting the students with a classroom, I need to teach online etiquette and outline consequences for any infraction. For the students to appreciate and respect each other's posts, they need to know the blog is a safe space. It is my duty to ensure them that it is one.

I will definitely have my work cut out for me.

Until next time,

The self-proclaimed Rookie blogger!

 

This is my first blog post!