Thoughts on Podcasting...

When the topics for this week came up as "Podcasting" and "Digital Storytelling", I recalled the computers course I took while in BEd (with Peter!). We actually had to create our own website that boasted the definitions and benefits of digital storytelling and podcasting. At the time I thought it was the neatest thing in the world, and I guess I had it in my head that by the time I was in my own classroom, I would be using these technologies daily. Well, unfortuately my BEd year was two years ago and I have not once used these technologies...but I have not given up! I think this course will get me back on track!

It just so happens that in grade four in Term 2, the application my kids have to learn and be assessed on for the report card is the use of Microsoft Powerpoint. it's funny though, because as I was reading this article (http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-17-2006-96434.asp), it talks about how educators are turning powerpoint presentations into podcasts. It just got me thinking 'why am I teaching my kids powerpoint, when a more practical application to learn would be podcasting?'.

Well, I have no real answer to that question aside from the fact that the applications that need to be taught in each term are set out by the powers beyond myself before the school year even begins. However, that's not to say that I can't introduce my kids to powerpoint, have them learn it, and then take it to a new level...

My team-teacher in grade four is very much into using audio technology within the computer system. In fact he recently showed me a slideshow he created (using Moviemaker I believe?) that included scanned copies of his students' cinquain poems. However, he made this into a podcast (although he's probably unaware of that terminology...) by having each student read their poem into a microphone. With the software program he chose, he was able to view the slideshow (and show his class) which had a 'voice-over' of each child reading his/her own poem. Let me tell you, the kids loved this!!

If only I were that confident in using such audio technologies and podcasting abilities...