By: Kim Sciandra
Does the thought of supporting teachers who wish to create podcasts cause you to worry? Worry no more – podcasts are simply audio or video files that can be shared with others. Often times they are placed on a school website. Listeners can play the audio file on their computer or they can download the audio file to a portable device such as an MP3 player and listen to the podcast on the go. Creating a podcast only requires three simple items – an inexpensive microphone, free audio software, and a few minutes of time. The SLMS does not need to feel overwhelmed at the thought of providing support to teachers wishing to use podcasts. Simply start with an initial level of involvement and progress to a more in-depth level as your confidence grows.
For the initial level of involvement the media specialist simply needs to ensure that media center can provide its patrons with current and useful information about using and creating podcasts. Fortunately, many professional publications for school media specialists contain excellent articles about podcasting. There are also numerous websites that provide tutorials on creating podcasts. The media specialist should create a bibliography of current articles and websites that provide information and instructions for creating podcasts. Also, links to informative websites about podcasting can be posted on the media center webpage. A brief list of resources is provided at the end of this blog to help get you started.
Next, the media specialist can progress to a moderate level of involvement by promoting the use of podcasting in the classroom. This can be accomplished by preparing a short presentation that demonstrates how a podcast can be used in the classroom. Include podcast examples from other schools who have successfully utilized podcasting as a learning tool. The media specialist could also collaborate with the instructional technologist to create and distribute “Technology Tip” sheets that explain how to create a podcast using school equipment. For example, a Tech Tip sheet on how to use Audacity to record a podcast could be provided to teachers. Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) is a free open source software program that can be used to record and edit sound for a podcast.
Finally, the media specialist should strive to progress to an in-depth level of involvement by collaborating with the classroom teacher to infuse podcasting into the curriculum. First, the teacher and the media specialist should determine how podcasts could best be used in the classroom to support student learning. There are numerous educational uses for podcasts such as
• Record interviews and newscasts
• Presentation format for students to demonstrate their understanding of a subject
• Provide audio instructions for special needs students
• Provide lectures to students to use at home for review
• Communicate school and classroom information with parents
Next, the teacher, the media specialist, and the instructional technologist can work together to provide students with instruction and support as they create their podcasts.
Ideally, the media specialist would be prepared to support the use of podcasting in classrooms because the media specialist will have already utilized podcasts in the media program. Podcasts are a great way to publish book reviews. Students, teachers, and the media specialist can create simple podcast book reviews of their favorite books. These podcasts could be made available on the media center web page. If your OPAC software allows, a link to the book review podcast could be placed in the OPAC providing students with a quick way to learn more about a book they are considering reading.
Podcasting is a fun and simple way to engage students in the learning process. Use the baby steps outlined above to start providing your patrons with the resources they need to effectively utilize podcasting in the classroom.
Podcasting Resources
Podcasting Tutorial
http://www.guidesandtutorials.com/podcasting-tutorial.html
Audacity Software
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Podcasting 101
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7729/is_200703/ai_n32211230/?tag=content;col1
School Examples
Radio Cambridge - http://www.ahisd.net/campuses/cambridge/radio/radio.htm
U.S. History Podcasts - http://mrturner.podomatic.com/
References
Fontichiaro, K. (2007, March). Podcasting 101. School Library Media Activities Monthly.
Gatewood, K. (2008). Podcasting: Just the basics. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 44(2), 90-93.
Turner, P. & Riedling, A.M. (2003). Helping teachers teach: A School library media specialist’s role. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
Kim, I really like your focus on how the media specialist can help facilitate this concept. I think too often we think we have to do it all when reality we just need to teach people how to fish, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteWhat really jumped out at me was the idea of having students do the book reviews. I could see this as a great reward system to use in the elementary school to encourage kids to read. We struggle so much asking kids to read for points and prizes. What many kids actually want is attention and to be recognized. I think allowing kids to create a podcast about books they've read would really inspire a lot to read for the opportunity. They are so proud when they reach their goals. Letting them create and share their love of a book would really stick with them. Also, I think reading teachers would love being able to let students take turns creating podcasts about their weekly reading story. What a great way to keep parents informed about what their students should know than by listening to their own child via the teacher's web page? I'm excited about the prospects of this.
Great ideas for uses in the media center Kim! Having prepared our own, I now feel better equipped to aide others. Much of the issue in using podcasts is time involved to learn how and to edit a podcast as well as managing the software programs and not being interrupted during preparation. A few other uses I thought of and may have seen mentioned somewhere, are audio instructions for classes to be used by substitute teachers. A downside to this of course would be allowing a substitute access to the equipment and assuming they are technology literate. Also, podcasts would be great for project instructions such as social studies or science fair guidelines and specifications. They could even be used to post extra credit instructions, particularly for special needs students.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the resource listing also. I will definitely save these.
Thanks for the great resources. Media Specialists should definitely take it upon themselves to learn how to make podcasts so they can pass that knowledge onto teachers. I think one way for media specialists to get started would be to use podcasting for the school's morning news announcements. After the media specialist becomes more comfortable with podcasting, she can hold a professional learning workshop with teachers and show them how easy it is to integrate podcasting into the curriculum.
ReplyDeleteI also like your idea of having students record book reviews as podcasts and then post them in the OPAC. Doing this could convince students to step outside of their "comfort zone" and check out and read books they normally would not have. When I did my full day in the middle school media center, the media specialist there had students do book reviews as podcasts and then linked them to her media center web page.
As you led off in your first paragraph, I admit that I’m a worrier – until I have a good plan. I really like the way you set up the gradual accumulation of information and skills for supporting teachers with podcasting. It definitely can be overwhelming when you’re beginning to learn how to use a new tech tool. What you presented is a more manageable way of getting up-to-speed with podcasting. I like the idea of building a list of podcasting resources for students and teachers. I have personally benefitted from lists like these. We definitely have to see ourselves as the “provider of information” and trainer. I think that developing a “tech tip” for podcasting, as you mentioned, would be a very valuable first step to introduce teachers to this tool. They could use this when it is convenient for them. Some teachers will really embrace this, and we can work more closely with those to advance to the next step of collaboration to infuse podcasting into the curriculum. Having a step-by-step plan definitely helps me not worry, and helps to ensure that I reach my goals. Thanks for the suggestions.
ReplyDeleteYou have provided some wonderful resources to help acquaint users with podcasting. I am just learning of the many benefits that exist through my readings as part of this class. It has been a real challenge as my media specialist, as helpful as she intends, has not been instrumental in providing the most cutting edge professional development in this area. It is a challenge to have to complete certain assignments for this class, but being unable to get support from the media specialist who is supposed to be one of the major instructional leaders in the building when it comes to technology. She and I are learning together, and that is a good thing, as she is open to many of the things I have been able to approach her with. As she and I are learning through the work required in this class, "if it is to be, then it is up to me." Media Specialists are to take the lead in bringing technology to the forefront of the media center.
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ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent post. You provided some basic information regarding what podcasts are, how they can be created, and possible steps for implementation.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the steps for implementation you provided. Podcasts can be intimidating to new users, but it remains our responsibility to provide technical support to our patrons. The initial step you described provides a foundation for both the media specialist and the patrons to become more familiar with podcasts. I also appreciate the list of resources that you provided.
I have used Audacity before, and I believe that it is an excellent tool for new users. It is free open source software, and it is very easy to use. I like the fact you recommend media specialist provide presentations and a “Technology Tip” sheet. Providing two forms of introduction, the media specialist can appeal to various patrons.
Lastly you provide realist opportunities to integrate podcasts not only into the media center but also into the classroom. I particularly like your recommendation to have students create book reviews and load them into the OPAC. I think this would provide an excellent opportunity to promote reading.