Podcasts

This week we learned about podcasts, and learned how to make them. Podcasts can be used for many different reasons, like teaching a lesson, communicating with people on the internet, or just for fun. The definition an article we read in class said that podcasts are audio files that can be played on the computer or downloaded to MP3 players, such as Apple’s iPod. Another article we read said that podcasts are an automated technology that allows listeners to subscribe and listen to digitally recorded audio shows. The files are downloaded to your computer daily, once you have subscribed to a podcast. People make podcasts about anything. It is a way to teach, learn, or express your feelings about something, and have an online audience watch. They could be filled with words, pictures, and music, or it could be as simple as talking in front of the camera. Creating a podcast is very easy. We did it this week in class, and because I have a Mac I was able to use the program Garageband, which allows you to create music or podcasts. If you do not have a Mac, you could download the free program Audacity, or if you have a PC there is a program called Sound Recorder that is already installed on the computer. On Garageband, all you have to do is hit the record button and start talking. Once you have finished you can add in effects, music, or pictures to enhance your podcast. It was the first time I had ever used Garageband, and it was so simple to learn, so anyone could do it. 

Technology is being used more and more in the classroom. Now teachers are using Smart Boards and the internet themselves, and at the same time they are encouraging their students to use computers too. Podcasts are an easy way to make technology in the classroom different. Teachers could give lessons through podcasts, have announcements, assign podcast projects, and much more. If teachers knew how to make podcasts, they could have all of their students subscribe to daily podcasts that the teachers could post everyday. These daily podcasts could be reminders, tips and tricks, or even additional lessons outside the classroom. Teachers in higher levels, like college, could use podcasts as their main way to instruct if they are teaching an online class. Once teachers know how to make podcasts, they could show their students how to make their own. Students could use podcasts to express their ideas with other students, learn from their peers, and become knowledgeable. 

This video explains what a podcast is, and why it is important for podcasts to be used in the classroom. Some of the examples of how podcasts could be used are if a teacher is absent, they can make a podcast about their lecture and won’t need to worry about getting a sub. Another example is they could make podcasts about school news, or if school is cancelled the teacher could make a podcast allowing students to do an extra credit assignment. The examples are endless because there are so many different ways a teacher could incorporate a podcast into the classroom.