Podcasting Across the Curriculum

Jessica Clay

Keith Cremer

Check out the website for my presentation here:Podcasting

The days of dreaming for a technology that engages students, allows them to work together, and gives parents a window into the classroom are over thanks to the world of podcasting. Podcasting provides a platform for creating digital media in a variety of contexts. It is a tool that is not bound to a particular subject area, but has the flexibility and versatility to lend itself to any curricular area. This presentation will show participants how to create a podcast (audio and video) and publish it to be downloaded as an RSS feed with iTunes. We will use GarageBand as the tool for creating the podcasts, although Audacity will also be given as an alternative for PCs. A benefit of creating a podcast is that it provides students with a finished product, thus enhancing the effort they put into the project, and gives students a chance to cooperate (Marzano, Pickering, & Polock 2001). In addition, the format of a pod (or vod) cast allows students to work collaboratively and use their creativity and innovation, two NETS standards provided by ISTE. Creating a podcast allows the teacher to provide clear standards for the finished project, and is easily aligned to instruction for any many standards (Standards Aligned System, 2009). Participants will see several examples of podcasts from different subject areas that include a variety of media (digital pictures, videos, audio, and even hyperlinks). Examples will cross curriculum and show primary story telling all the way through college courses available on iTunes. There will be songs that enhance math skills, and even a video podcast that shows how simple machines are used. They will also be shown how podcasts can be adapted for various grade levels and needs. For example, the teacher can set up the podcast and allow the students to do the actual research and recording, students can work independently or collaboratively as need dictates, and the level of complexity of the finished product can be changed. Participants will then have the opportunity to create their own to become familiar with the process and leave ready to begin podcasting in their own classrooms.