Teaching
with Podcasts
So you have
decided to give teaching with podcasts a try. Good for you! There are many
benefits to using this awesome technology.
What is a
podcast? A podcast is audio content through the use of an RSS feed that pushes
the content out continuously to subscribers, so they don’t have to go looking
for it every time. It’s kind of like subscribing to a channel on YouTube. This
teaching style is great for students who are auditory learners.
Sometimes it
would be a benefit to use different podcasts with different groups of students.
This would allow you to differentiate instruction.
Here are
some things to consider when starting up the use of podcasts with individual
students or small groups:
1.
Make sure you have the necessary equipment.
a. Podcasts can be listened to on a variety of
devices that have Internet connection including iPod touches/ iPhones, laptops,
computers, and iPads. Every individual student or small group would need a
device. Each student would need earbuds to listen. If you have a small group,
an earbud splitter would be beneficial so that your entire small group could be
listening simultaneously.
b. If your students have never worked with this
technology before, several more lessons will be required to discuss rules,
procedures, and expectations for handling the technology equipment.
i. Devices need designated safe places to live
ii. Accessories need designated safe places to
live
iii. Devices should be numbered and assigned to
specific students for responsibility purposes
iv. Keep passwords and log ins somewhere where
students have access to them
v. Here is information on how to set up ipads
for roll out: http://kamloopsedtech.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-setup-ipads-for-school-rollout.html
2. Find
podcasts that work for you.
b. Book chat podcasts: http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/podcast-episodes/chapter-book-series-worth-30260.html
c. Topical podcasts used by homeschoolers: http://www.homeschooling-ideas.com/free-educational-podcasts.html
d. Astronomy podcasts:
http://www.astronomyforkids.com.au
3.
Teach students podcast listening behavior
expectations.
a. Because students will be working at their
own pace and all listening to different podcasts at the same time, it is
crucial that you go over behavior expectations.
b. This is a great differentiation tool because
individual students or small groups can listen to podcasts, pause to discuss or
ask questions, or go back and listen again if they missed something. The
learning is entirely at their own pace.
c. Discuss with the students expected
behaviors, make a chart and post them in the classroom for everyone to see.
Also talk about what students should be doing/ accomplishing before, during,
and after the podcast.
4. Plan
activities or lessons you
are going to do with your class after they have listened to the podcast.
a. You can’t just have students listen to a
podcast and then move on to something else. This is a teaching tool. Now what
are you going to do with it?
b. Study up on what other teachers are already
doing. No need to re-invent the wheel! http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/teaching-with-podcasts-30109.html
Here are some more great resources on teaching with
podcasts:
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