Podcasts

The first one, SmartBoard Lessons, starts out with Ben Hazzard and Joan Badger using some inappropriate conversation about alcohol, in my opinion. This is not a good approach to use. But later in the podcast they talk about their "Year End Ideas", specifically, how to use iPods, iPhones, and Goggle Documents to help students create different projects. They also tell students how to sign up for Twitter and send tweets. The KidCast podcast was a bit different. Dan Schmit uses a very calm and "teacher like" voice to talk about video podcasting. He points out that they can require a lot of time if you make it too complicated. He helps students envision themselves as the teacher and tells them how to guide their students while doing their research, which I think is a great idea.

Dan Schmit also advises to keep the "vodcasts" relatively short, because once students post them onto YouTube they will be compressed. He gives further instructions on how to download in order to post it. The approach used by David Warlick in Connect Learning, Episode 90, is interesting. He is at a conference with 9,000 librarians! I feel it is important to include our libraries while teaching students about the latest technology. Letting the audience give their own ideas keeps it from being boring. Since I will be teaching history, I love the idea of using podcasts for a lesson on the American Revolution. The idea of students conducting a school interview through a podcast with the principal and teachers is a terrific idea also.

Asking them to state "Why does someone want to come to your library when they have a mouse in their hand", definitely gets the librarian thinking. One audience member suggested having a weekly radio program, informing the students about a project a particular teacher may be conducting, and reminding them that related material is in their library! This would also be a way of letting kids know what is new in the library as well. The EdTech Talk podcast discusses VoiceThread technology and how to use it with libraries and in the classrooms. I think this is so important because we cannot allow our libraries to be left behind with all of this technology flooding our lives.

One story that touched my heart is of the teacher describing the importance of VoiceThread when used by children who live in poverty. She tells how one boy was able to use his own voice, and it actually empowered him and gave him confidence, without the pressure of the basic curriculum tests and writing of a paper. That's why I want to use these technologies, to help educate and empower children who have the deck stacked against them. The MacBreak Weekly podcast covers everything for Macintosh. These guys really do sound like DJs!! This one was my least favorite because I don't use a Mac and some of the terms they used were foreign to me. It also seemed geared toward selling Apple products more than teaching anything. This Week in Photography podcast was more educational and interesting. They discuss the different brands of cameras and ask listeners which one they prefer. This podcast talks about the most mexapixels you actually need and the different features cameras have. They use the approach that a person can use their camera as a tool in life to learn and teach. Great concept!