Podcasting 101
by Kristin Fontichiaro
Library Media Specialist at Beverly Elementary in Michigan
March 7, 2007
Fontichiaro’s article “Podcasting 101” has proved to be a fantastic learning resource for me. The article is broken down into sections such as, “What is a Podcast?” “Equiptment Needed,” and “Podcasting Projects for Beginners.” The article is clearly written and includes all of the necessary information, including prices for the equipment necessary and the location of the websites that support podcasting.
The article begins by explaining exactly what a podcast is. It is “an audio file recorded on a computer and later shared with others. (The term "podcast" comes from combining the words "iPod" with "broadcast.")” Podcasts can be recorded using a microphone that is plugged into a computer microphone or USB port. Spoken word can be recorded and then layered with sound effects or music. Because podcasts are recorded digitally, errors are easy to edit out, sections are easy to re-record and it is very simple to add music and sound effects. Podcasts can be downloaded onto an iPod, uploaded to a web space or blog, burned onto a DC, emailed to others or fed into podcast retrieving software such as iTunes.
I plan to use podcasting with my students in the future in many different ways. Fontichiaro writes that “[w]ell-designed podcasting projects help students develop oral fluency, write with an audience in mind, develop a "writer's voice," and increase confidence. Podcasting projects such as radio plays and mock news broadcasts invite high-level thinking and ask students to synthesize and showcase learning. Students are excited by this accessible technology and motivated to do great work for a real-world audience.” I plan to use podcasting with my grade 4-7 students as they work on their speeches for the upcoming event “Speechfest.” Students can not only practice their speeches, but will be able to play them back for themselves and note areas of success and areas to improve upon. Another positive aspect of using podcasting for “Speechfest” practice is that students are always eager and excited to use technology and podcasting will increase student intrest and motivation in “Speechfest.” I plan to borrow a class set of iPods from the Surrey School District Technology Department, (our disctrict technology department will loan out iPods and microphones / headphones for units of study that include things such as podcasting), in order to utilize podcasting in a way that is no cost to my school or students. Borrowing the iPods means that our school will not have to spend any money on microphones / headphones and will not have to spend any time downloading the necessary operating systems. I plan to teach groups of students to podcast effectively and them have them go back and teach their classroom teachers. This way, I do not have to have a training sessions for classroom teachers who want to use podcasting in their classrooms!
Other ways that Fontichiaro suggests using podcasting are creating a class CD of research projects or creative writing stories, conducting an audio tour on a field trip, conducting interviews with school visitors such as authors, parents or superintendents, co-hosting a school radio broadcast, completing tests orally for students with special needs who have difficulty writing, and for French teachers to record a series of questions for students leaving a pause after each for the answer.
An important factor to remember is that in the interenst of personal safety and privacy, students should not include details such as their last names, addresses, or names of community organizations.
In short, Fontichiaro’s article, “Podcasting 101” has inspired me to use podcasting in many ways with my students. I notice that new ideas often do not get used unless they are implemented within 30 days or so of when they are learned. To ensure that I will use my newfound knowledge on podcasting, I plan to request iPods from the district tomorrow and have students begin podcasting to practice for “Speechfest” as soon as the iPods arrive!
Fontichiaro, Kristin. "Podcasting 101." School Library Media Activities Monthly. Vol. XXIII, Mar. 7/07.
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