General thoughts on Podcasts

Here's my assignment:

Part 4: Podcasts
It is easy to see how to incorporate podcasts into classrooms. We can incorporate others’ podcasts and produce our own. You’ll need Media Player, RealPlayer, or other audio software to run podcasts. Check out the podcasts below and then post your reflections in your blog: What did you find? What did you think? So what? Now what?

• Who would expect Grammar Girl to be a popular podcast site?! While you’re there, check out Mighty Mommy, Legal Lad, and Mr. Manners while you're there: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
• Many universities have put lecture podcasts online. Check out one of these at Stanford University. You will need to download iTunes (free) first:http://itunes.stanford.edu/
• Check out these Virginia Minutes history podcasts, created by fourth graders in Tori Meleski’s class:http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/colvinrunes/crescasts.htm
• Check out a news broadcast about media on the PBS podcast site: http://www.podcastingnews.com/details/www.onthemedia.org/index.xml/view.htm
• Find a podcast on a topic of your choice. You might find something here, but feel free to look elsewhere:http://www.podcastingnews.com/forum/links_tophits.htm

Here on my general thoughts. I like podcasts and definitely see their addition to any school curriculum. Podcasts were also part of the curriculum for some of my first MAIS-ZAL classes. I find them to be easy to use and very helpful. I did not use them on the go, but actually accessed them through the public library because I didn't have a computer at the time. The preceding lists of podcasts vary in their effectiveness.

The first podcast example was very helpful especially if a student has questions on a subject out of classroom. There is a wide variety of topics that also could serve as refreshers courses for students returning from a long break.

The second podcast example also has a wide range of topics but I was distracted by the embedded advertising in the script. I also read faster than I listen and was way ahead of the lecture than what the lecturer was actually saying. I didn't enjoy these podcasts as much.

The podcasts from Standford were okay, again it seemed like advertising. They were well put together and had good picture quality, but not really inspiring. I didn't learn a lot. Overall not impressed.

Unfortunately the last examples of podcasts, links not working. No comment.

So after all that what podcasts to a I subscribe to...only one. It's from ITunes and it is weekly tips for my Mac, very useful and suits my needs. There is a lot of potential for podcasts and they offer a lot of flexibility for teaching and learning. One problem still lurking, not everyone has the technology or even understands how to use it, students included.