Podcasts

Podcasts are audio files that can be downloaded to various devices or listened to on a computer.  Podcasts are typically created to share information with an audience, and have great potential for use in the classroom and the library.  I have created several podcasts for assignments in my library science program, but never for use in my classroom.  After spending some time reading more about podcasts and reflecting on their use, I am really looking forward to giving them a try in this upcoming school year.  

Podcasts are an easy way to get information to students and can be played as often as needed.  There are numerous applications for podcasts in both the classroom and library.  This is nowhere near an exhaustive list, but here are a few ideas for using podcasts in schools:

Teacher/Librarian Uses

• Sharing a course introduction or other general course information.
• Sharing information about library resources or how including how to use different resources.
• Recording mini-lessons for students who are absent, who need reteaching or language support, or have modifications in their IEP that could be served through a podcast.  This way, students can listen to the lesson as many times as they need.
• Recording mini-lessons on difficult topics for support.
• Sharing instructions for using a digital tool or resource.
• Recording test questions and answer choices for students with dyslexia and other qualifying learning limitations that require oral testing.
• Sharing feedback on a digital presentation.  I use Google Drive a lot in my classroom, and I could create a podcast to give students feedback that they could access outside of school as they work from home.
• Sharing instructions for homework or other assignments such as a term project.
• Sharing reminders or information about upcoming events such as a book fair or major school event.
• Communicating with parents.

Student Uses

• Recording instructions for understanding or carrying out a difficult concept (peer teaching and reflection). 
• Summarizing or retelling a story.
• Sharing their writing (as a publishing tool). 
• Recording booktalks.
• Interviewing other students, parents, or local experts (Examples - students could be role-playing for an assignment or interviewing a parent about their ancestry for a history project)
• Sharing findings during research projects.
• Presenting a persuasive argument (Examples - commercial for a product, their stance on an issue).

After exploring several podcast sites, I elected to use SoundCloud to create my podcast.  I love how easy it is to locate other podcasts to follow on this site, and to record your own.  They also provide 3 hours of free recording time, a generous amount in my opinion.  

In order to practice utilizing this tool in a meaningful way, I decided to create a podcast that my students can use in just a few short weeks when school begins.  I use Edmodo as a collaborative learning tool in my classroom, and helping students sign up is always challenging – this is one of those times I could use a few clones of myself!  Recording the instructions and providing students with access in this manner will make things run much more smoothly.  In this podcast, I explain how to create an account and the basic features students need to understand to get started on Edmodo.  Enjoy!