Handouts from the Workshop

Use the link in the right hand margin to access the Teaching the Tech Teen Workshop Handouts (for both Part One and Part Two).

Podcast Review

Podcasts are great for reviews. Students can listen where ever and when ever they choose. 

Check out this podcast on adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers.

Why Bother with Podcasting?

Here's a few reasons...

Record classes for students to download so that they can be used by students who are absent and by those who need extra reinforcement or want to review. Distribute homework assignments and long term projects. Communicate with parents and the community about school and classroom activities and announcements. Differentiate your instruction and accommodate more students' learning styles. Help students with reading and/or other disabilities. Access multi-lingual education easier.

Just to name a few...

Quick How-To Guide

1. Select an image (photo, clipart, etc.) that goes along with the topic of your podcast. 

2. Create the podcast (mp3 file) using Audacity.

3. Use Movie Maker (PCs) or iMovie (macs) to create a video file.

4. Upload video file to Blogger in Draft: http://draft.blogger.com/home using your Blogger login details.

5. Share your podcasts!

Creating a Podcast

Podcasting can be completed in four basic steps:

1. Planning

2. Producing

3. Publishing

4. Promoting

PLANNING

The first step of planning your podcast is a very important step. You may be anxious to record your voice and post it on the Internet, but a little planning will help you to stay focused. You will produce a better podcast that will attract and keep more listeners. It also makes your job as a podcaster a lot easier. 

Consider the following when planning: What is your topic? What format are you going to use? Will you podcast alone or with someone else? How long will your podcast be? How often will you podcast? Will you just talk or will you play music as well? (IMPORTANT: If you plan to use music in your podcast that is not your own, you need permission to use it. It's illegal to copyright material in your podcast without permission.) Where will you create your podcast? 

PRODUCING

Grab a mic and start talking (or whatever else you plan to do in your podcast)! Don't forget that you will need a computer and a connection to the Internet as well. Audacity.com is a great place to record audio files. Combine the mp3 file with an image to create a video file (Movie Maker or iMovie both work well).

PUBLISHING

Blogger is an excellent free resource for podcasting. Insert the video file in a blog post for easy podcasting. Just be patient as it loads!

PROMOTING

Share your podcast with others by emailing the website and inviting others to listen. 

Why Podcast in Education?

Podcasting enables teachers to rediscover the awesome power of spoken word by using technology to communicate with students. This new medium allows teachers to incorporate on-demand audio recordings into their curriculum and differentiate learning for students. By using podcasts, teachers are inspiring students to learn in a new way, and to learn in a way that is familiar to them. Both students and teachers can share their knowledge and understanding of content material through podcasts. The outcome is that students read better, write better, and understand more. 

Let's not forget the importance of actually learning how to podcast. This is a 21st century skill that students should not only be aware of, but should also be able to utilize and create. Technology skills cannot be underestimated in this media literate world we are living in. More and more big businesses, companies, and schools are investing time and money into podcasting.

Another great reason to podcast in education is to keep busy parents in touch with the world that their children occupy everyday. Teachers can inform parents about important assignments and projects, as well as what they are currently studying. Administrators can podcast about all kinds of subjects that can range from school announcements to athletic game scores. And all the parent needs is a computer to listen.

What Do I Need to Podcast?

All it takes is a computer, the Internet, and a microphone. The microphone can either be internal or external and your computer must actually connect with the Internet. These 3 basics will get you started. Of course, you can spend money to upgrade your podcasting experience but it is not necessary.

Is Podcasting Just for iPods?

No! Don't let the name fool you!

Podcasting is not just for iPods. Although it may have originated with the iPod, podcasts can be played on computers, iPods, pocket PCs, Palm handhelds, mp3 players, and other devices. 

So if you don't own an iPod, don't feel left out!

What is Podcasting?

Broadcasting + iPod = Podcasting

A podcast is a collection of audio and/or video on the Internet that can be cataloged and automatically downloaded. It has a news feed (known as RSS) that allows it to be organized in various podcasting directories. In addition, the news feed allows the podcasting directory program to automatically download new episodes.

There are 3 different types of podcasts: audio podcasts, enhanced podcasts, and video podcasts. An audio podcast is the most common and is usually an mp3 file. Enhanced podcasts have images that go along with the audio content and allow chapter markers that make it easy to navigate through the podcast. Podcasts that are enhanced are usually mp4 and AAC files that are not supported on all devices. Video podcasts are movies, complete with sound. MPEG-4 is the most popular file for video podcasts.