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Web 2.0 tools in the classroom seem inevitable now days with the majority of students coming into schools as early as kindergarten with a vast knowledge of technology. Why not, as an educator, utilize their interests in the digital world and the vast Web 2.0 tools we have available to foster communication, creativity, engagement, and collaboration between school and students.
One of the Web 2.0 tools I have become interested in and have begun using with my 2nd graders this year is podcasting using Audacity. Podcasting is used “to describe a combination of hardware and software used to distribute audio and video content online” (Pederson, 2005). Audacity, Movie Maker, and pc’s are the tools that are offered at our county level that I have utilized in my classroom for my podcasting projects. Podcasting has become a very engaging tool that my students are eager to use, even my reluctant readers and writers.
My first project with Podcasting involved the students writing and then reading their “All About Me” questionnaires. After practicing orally several times, they recorded their “bios” using Audacity and then we uploaded them to our class blog. It became a “hit” with students and parents. What a great communication tool as well! I plan to continue to learn more about podcasting and use it in my classroom for future projects such as: student recordings of favorite books, class songs, poetry café, book reviews, record daily events, class happenings for parents, homework reminders, etc.
The educational benefits of this Web 2.0 tool are endless. It makes learning meaningful, engaging, and innovative. Podcasting offers a creative means of developing and strengthening their communication skills, oral reading fluency, and self esteem using 21st century technology
Pederson, C. Michael (2005). Podcasting in education. In B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. Retrieved November 2, 2009, from http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/podcasting/start.htm
I love the idea of podcasting in the classroom. I really want to find a way to incorporate it in the coming year. I'm interested to hear more details on this. Great post.
ReplyDeleteA couple of books you might want to check out:
ReplyDelete- Podcasting for Learning in Universities by Salmon and Edirisingha
- Podcasting for Teachers by King and Gura
The first is a summary of current research into podcasting in universities but has a lot of useful information beyond higher ed. The second one is geared towards primary/secondary/K12 ed.
Happy podcasting!