The use of podcasts in the classroom has dramatically evolved over the past five years and today more and more classrooms are being turned into creative and artistic environments engaging students to explore new possibilities and to think outside the box. As educators, we are constantly trying to come up with new and innovative ways to reach each student and motivate them to want to become more independent in their own academic journey. However, many students lack the confidence to try new things and creatively portray their own personal opinions on higher level topics.
Utilizing technological tools such as podcasts allows the students to reverse their roles in the classroom and actively debate their thoughts with their other peers and bounce ideas back and forth to see a topic from a different perspective. Podcasts are sometimes seen as "radio stations in the classroom" and this aspect uniquely sets apart the traditional teacher-directed classroom from a more discussion oriented one. In the sidebar of my blog, I have posted a sample podcast created projects created by 3rd grade students who were reading the book "Tuck Everlasting" aloud in class. I also study this novel with my students in 6th grade but on a more independent level. I utilized the project podcast that I have shown you to depict to my students the possibilities of what even younger students are capable of creating when they are determined and motivated to do so.
I then provide them with 3 possible project choices to create as they are independently finishing the novel and use this sample as a model for them to follow when we work on them in our computer lab at school. The possibilities are endless and there are so many great sites available that serve as references and indexes full of reading and novel related podcasts. One of these indexes can be found at: http://bklnkids.podomatic.com/entry/2006-03-22T12_41_23-08_00. It is such a great resource for educators and the lists of varying podcasts are growing by the day.
1 comment:
The debate aspect of podcasts is something that I never considered. I like the concept of the podcast as a radio broadcast for the classroom, on topic and relevant to their learning experience, but I was really grabbed but the picture you selected.
I wish that I had that much room per group of students. Even in the library, having a full class in there with equipment becomes cumbersome. With the right support and equipment, any technology can aide student learning.
Post a Comment