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6 Replies Last post: Jan 23, 2008 9:26 AM by hmartin  
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andersonr
2 posts since
Nov 27, 2007

Nov 28, 2007 5:38 PM

Podcasting


Does anyone use podcasting as part of their regular teaching, for special class projects or for FFA events? I recently took a course on how to create podcasts, but am having some trouble implementing the technology into my curriculum in a way that my high schoolers won't think is "dumb." My students currently use blackboard, and I've thought about recording my classes and placing them as podcasts, but the students I questioned said they didn't think they would use them. Has anyone used podcasting with any success? Do you have any ideas to share?

Thanks in advance!

Rachel

Tags: podcasts, technology, podcasting
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hmartin
40 posts since
Oct 3, 2007
1. Nov 29, 2007 7:19 AM in response to: andersonr
Re: Podcasting
I use them in lots of ways. I make study sessions, create virtual field trips, and have students create their own. One of my projects last year was taking each power tool in my mechanics class and having a pair of students create a podcast that went ove rthe safety for each one. Basically they put it together in powerpoint....set them to music and put recordings in Moviemaker. Then we posted them as podcasts.
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andersonr
2 posts since
Nov 27, 2007
2. Dec 3, 2007 7:34 AM in response to: hmartin
Re: Podcasting
Thanks for the response Heidi.

What kinds of styles do you use to present study sessions?

From Heidi:

"I think the easiest way to think of it is that the producers need to be the kids. Nothing is ever more than 5-7 minutes long. I have students create PPTs or have graphics that follow along with key points they record on their own. Then, they use them to answer stuff on the test. For example. After I demonstrate all of the big machine sin ag mechanics then they split into groups of 2-3 to create 5 minutes PPTs that they put music and a scrip to in order for everyone to review for the big safety test. Two advantages: I don't have to create hundreds of these things and the kids are interested in seeing what others did. Hope that helps. Let me know if you need some more help.

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bhershberger
2 posts since
Dec 18, 2007
3. Jan 15, 2008 8:53 PM in response to: hmartin
Re: Podcasting
What are you using to record the sessions? Video Camera (digital) Digital camera? I have played with Podcasting breifly but would like to use it more in class, I like your ideas for the tool safety etc. and even thought about using it for communicating with parents or students that are absent.
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hmartin
40 posts since
Oct 3, 2007
4. Jan 16, 2008 10:51 AM in response to: bhershberger
Re: Podcasting
Recordings can be done a number of ways...I have used digital voice recorders and blended in pics and video...You can video using most digital cameras or use a video camera...The real trick is having software that converts things over...I know that there are companies that make kits for podcasting that include voice recorders and digital cameras and software packages. Those packages cost around $3500 so you are talking big bucks. There are free websites that can also help you out. I will forward this to my school ITRT and see if she can put together a list of podcasting resources for creating your own podcasts. Will post soon! Hope this helps


UPDATE: Cyndi Pixley my school ITRT sent me this information:

http://www.kid-cast.com/

Looks like a great way to have students make their own......

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jlarison
10 posts since
Jan 5, 2008
5. Jan 20, 2008 10:53 PM in response to: andersonr
Re: Podcasting
I have tried podcasts a few different ways in my classroom. I have used them to create a few student resources to enhance learning and also used them for some basic student related projects. We are a Mac school that is 1:1 so every student has a Mac laptop with Garageband on it which is a easy to use program for podcasting in the Mac environment.

Here are a few ideas (some I have tried and others on my "want to" list):


  • My teaching partner does a mini-summary of each chapter or unit where he outlines the major concepts to help students prepare for his tests. (He was not sure if they would be used or not, and was surprised when he found a student with all of them saved on a video iPod reviewing for the semester final).
  • Record instructions for the class on a day you have a sub. (Sometimes it helps for the kids to hear you give the instructions).
  • Have students record presentations for practice: Creed, Speeches, Sales Presentations, Job Interview, Reasons, etc.
  • Make their own review podcast to study for a concept. (kind of like the overused - "make a powerpoint" technique, but with a different twist)
  • Have your FFA Officers record a "This Week in FFA" mini spot or updates to podcast out to your membership
  • For e-moment users - you could have a tech version of the "eye-witness moment" or "bob the weather guy".
  • Record new terms/definitions for the start of a unit.
  • Using a program called "profcast" www.profcast.com (makes a podcast
    that records your voice over a powerpoint presentation), I have made
    some review podcasts for an upcoming biology test. Students could
    download them or watch them on my website made with iWeb.

Hope a few of these can help. Good luck!


-Jason

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hmartin
40 posts since
Oct 3, 2007
6. Jan 23, 2008 9:26 AM in response to: jlarison
Re: Podcasting

Helpful sites for creating podcasts in the classroom!


http://www.hamienet.com/index.iva?i=43&id=e1ce111cb3799214d1eab406a3cf3a3520653

Midi to MP3 /WAV converter


http://www.freemidi.org/

Free MIDI Music files for podcasts

Download the midi file and then convert it to an MP3 file so we can use it in moviemaker.


You should keep a separate folder for each podcast that you make.

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