Thing #14

To podcast or not to podcast..... I don't see many obstacles other than getting the number of headsets (microphones along with earphones) necessary for the whole class to participate. Audicity is a free software and very easy to download. Then, it's just pure practice. We, as a school, actually got nudged heavily in this direction when our AP Foreign Language teachers were told by the College Board that they had to produce recordings of students speaking as part of the AP test this year. So, we scrambled, got frustrated, borrowed equipment, had technology issues, and then finally got the hang of it just in time. Like any new technology, it's great when it works and we know how to use it properly. Yes, I could see classrooms using it - especially for foreign languages. Imagine that students could actually practice with their instructor at home as well as in the classroom. We could even video podcast our student run news program for parents. Without video, I'm not sure just an audio podcast could hold students' attention unless the topic was highly motivating. Given that, students do like variety and it does offer another medium to deliver information, produce a product, and assess understanding.