Podcasts

There is a lot of talk going on about podcasting; I just found out the meaning of the word podcasting. I have nieces and nephews who were talking about the different technology gadgets available for a Christmas present. The newest were the iPods and MP3 players. But now, I know that it is just another way of reaching the world through learning at society’s connivances. After viewing the different podcasts shows has enlighten me even more as to how all of this could fit into education. Earlier in one of my blogs I mentioned that technology will definitely help us get our students prepared for global marketing in education. I listen to all of the podcast shows given in the courses syllabus and these are my findings.

First of all, all of the podcast shows did an introduction with music. For some of the podcasts, there were several people hosting but you always had a main host that would introduce the panels. I noticed that the conversations flowed very smoothly. In other words, you must know your material that is being discussed. When we do ours, we will not have music, but we can have a main host to introduce the panel. Connect Learning and Kid Cast both of these had one host but the approach was like an interview. I listen to several Kid Cast shows and one in particular was the students themselves did the podcast on a particular topic. I would like to try that with some fifth graders where I presently work. I think that it will be good exposure and another way to make learning fun.

Secondly, Mac Break Weekly and TWIP hosts integrated some casual talk in between their topics of discussions. That is something I definitely would like to use in a podcast in the future. You must have excitement in your voice to sale the show. I do have some favorites. Connect Learning with David Warlick as the host and Education Technology Talk were the two that held my attention. Episode 91 Connect Learning was very informative. It was a podcast workshop with Library Media Specialist. The topic was about using podcast in the library with the students. The thing about technology is this it will not become alive unless teachers, administrators push hard to make it happen. I presently work around educators who are just stuck back in time. My goal and desire is to use whatever I can to help my students get to the next level.

Education Technology Talk is a good podcast that I would consider prescribing to because of the professional development topics that are being discussed. I listen to episode 19 about the responsibility of educators to be professional online as well as in the classroom. As an educator you can not loose your professionalism even though you have clock out for the day. We may not be in the classroom but our image is still important. There are certain things that we should not put in a blog if it is for educational purposes. This episode discussed online etiquettes for educators. I am glad that I have been exposed to podcasting. I must say I am having a wonderful time in the class. When I took this class I knew nothing about blogs, podcasting, Access labs and Alex and all of this I will use one way or another in my career.