While digital editing and filming is being used more frequently in schools now, podcasting which is the tool we are in class getting ready to start using has not taken off yet. I say yet because I feel it will take off. There are three kinds of podcasts. Audio podcasts are usually an MP3 file and are the most common types of podcasts. Enhanced podcasts can have images to go along with the audio. They can also have chapter markers, making it easier to skip to different portions of an episode. Enhanced podcasts are an AAC file and are not supported by all devices. Video podcasts are movies, complete with sound. Video podcasts can be in a variety of formats, but MPEG-4 is the most popular.
In most classrooms the teacher will find podcast episodes for students to listen to or watch. Sets of laptops, iPods, Palm handhelds, Pocket PCs, or other devices can be loaded with podcast episodes so students can use them at their desks, on field trips, in the library, or at home.
Creating podcasts has many educational benefits. Students are able to create a product to share with a potentially world-wide audience. Their podcast can be listed in iTunes, right along with podcasts from The Discovery Channel and Disney. Knowing that there is a real-world audience gives students purpose and motivation to create a spectacular product. The process of putting together an audio recording is extremely valuable and is certainly a cross-curricular experience.
With my new found knowledge of podcasting has anybody used it with their students and classes?
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Not yet! I am still trying to figure out how to incorporate these things into my geometry class. It could be interesting, but I have to be willing to give up time to teach and trust that they will learn the material by doing. I'm not to that trusting point yet!
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