Listen Up! Podcasts in our classrooms and libraries
Podcasts are multimedia files available on the internet for download to a portable media player. Over the past few years, podcasts have become very popular for sharing anything from songs, books, talk shows to tutorials on just about anything. Podcasts can be a very valuable tool to use in our classrooms and libraries. The possibilities for creating content rich podcasts are endless. With practice, patience and practicality, we can train our students to become expert podcasters.
Podcasts can be used in the classroom in a variety of ways. Students can research a topic (monthly themes, authors, community issues) and create a podcast to present as their final product. Podcasts can be published by both teachers and students to create peer support in subjects where students need tutoring. Book reports can be fun by creating a podcast. The podcast can be used across all subjects and by all grade levels.
There are many tools available to help teachers/librarians create podcasts. I explored 3 tools and created accounts with each one. Some are easy to navigate through, others can be a little more complicated. Depending on your preference and technological comfort zone, you can chose the best tool for you and your students with a bit of research and practice.
Soundcloud
Soundcloud is a tool available to create, share, and listen to our podcasts. Their list of categories includes a variety of music and many educational topics. They offer an app for Android, iPhone and iPad. This is very useful because the students can download the app to their devices. Soundcloud can be used in the classroom for many different activities. The students or the teachers can create the podcasts they want to share. The possibilities are endless. Overall, Soundcloud can be used with ease and it is very visually appealing and easy to use.
Audioboo
Audioboo states it is the "easiest and most effective" tool for teachers and students to create and share podcasts. The unique thing about audioboo is that it is integrated with edmodo, a secure online resource community specifically for teacher and students. With the edomodo app, the students and teachers can record material, retrieve content from audioboo, and add it the edomodo library. This is such an interesting feature because the use of edmodo in the classrooms in growing. I found this tool to be easy to use, visually appealing and a great source for students, teachers and librarians.
Podomatic
Podomatic is available for download in the app store. This is convenient because the students can use their devices to create, share and listen to podcasts. Podomatic has a multitude of available podcasts that range in topics. It is very easy to use and create your own podcast. Podomatic guides you along in creating your own podcast in 5 easy steps. This tool is easy to use and visually appealing. Students will find this tool easy to implement.
I created the following podcast for my students. We are currently reading all about Dr. Seuss.
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