Podcasting... Audio and Video

The possibilities of podcasting are endless, as are the connections to all types of curriculum. Children enjoy both creating and listening to podcasts... and just think how cool it would be if they learned something too!

Incorporating video (or pictures) into the podcasts adds a whole new dimension to the learning and collaboration that occurs on the web. While I was "hunting" for interesting content, I was much more interested in the podcasts that were accompanied by visual information.

In my classroom, I use podcasts (not really podcasts... we'll talk in class) to allow the children to "deconstruct" on what they do each day as they work on a project. This deconstruction is simply documentation of progress, allowing a sense of responsibility to be realized. Additionally, by adding the podcasts to their blogs, they can be tracked daily to see where they are, where they have been, and how close they are to realizing their ultimate goal.

Podcasting, as a means of communicating progress fits into a number of NETS standards, including the students' standards below.

2. Communication and Collaboration

• b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts

• a. understand and use technology systems.

• b. select and use applications effectively and productively.