Podcasts

Sources:
http://recap.ltd.uk/podcasting/professional/learninginhandipods.php
Podcast: Learning in Hand: iPod Episode: ipods #7: iQuiz

http://thetechteacher.libsyn.com/
Podcast: The TechTeacher Podcast Episode: Have You Listened to a Good Book Lately?

The first podcast I listened to was called “IQuiz”. It talked about a new software that allows teachers and students to make customized quizzes available on iPods. iQuiz comes preinstalled on all new iPods, or it can be downloaded. Once you make a quiz, it can be synced to as many iPods as you want so that the quiz can be made available to an entire classroom. The quiz can be made in multiple choice or True/ False format. If you get the wrong answer, the correct answer appears. iQuiz also supports different users on one iPod, so that multiple students can take the quiz and save their results. The software to make the quizzes is free. The program even has an iPod simulator so that you can use the quiz even if you don’t have an iPod. Teachers can import free pre-made quizzes online at http://www.iquizshare.com/ or http://www.iquizr.com/. They can also add or change questions to these downloaded quizzes.

I think using iQuiz in the classroom is an excellent way to get students involved in their own learning. They can create their own quizzes to review, and then practice quizzes that other students made. By using technology, we are “speaking” to kids in their own terms through iPods. Taking the quizzes on their iPods also allows the students to learn from their mistakes, without feeling embarrassed for not knowing an answer. I think it is an excellent addition to any classroom!

The second podcast I listened to was called “Have You Listened to a Good Book Lately?”. This podcast was about using audio books in the classroom. It can be used for special needs students, or with ESL students to help them build vocabulary and literacy skills. It can also be used to get students captured in the excitement of reading. Even teachers can use audio books to keep up with literature in their busy lives. Using audio books allows educators to meet different learning styles in the classroom by allowing the students to move at their own pace. Having mp3 kits in the classroom also can be used to expose students to different reading sources. They can download audio books, stories, magazines, and newspapers online at http://www.audible.com/.

Audio books, in my opinion, are an excellent way to promote reading skills in the classroom. Some students think reading is boring, but if they listen to audio books, they are still reading and building vocabulary. Also, it may get them interested in a certain book that they would like to read later on. Audio books also allow students of all abilities to learn. A child with dyslexia, for example, would still be able to follow along with the class discussion on a book.

Podcasts can support literacy instruction because they allow students to learn from different methods. Students will be engaged in their learning by creating their own podcasts, listening to audio books, making and practicing iQuizzes, etc. Podcasts allow students to get involved in their own learning. Podcasts are also beneficial to students with disabilities, such as dyslexia or blindness. ESL students can benefit from podcasts as well as they develop vocabulary and pronunciation skills.

After listening to these podcasts, I thought of a few ways that podcasts could be used in my own practicum classroom.
1. The students can practice their oratory skills by reading stories aloud.
2. The students can enhance their French through the language podcasts.
3. The students can make podcasts about their music class- singing songs they learned.
4. The students can create a podcast sharing the stories they have written during class.
5. The students can make a podcast describing what they learned about meal worms as they watched them grow!

All of these also allow the outside community to see what the students are doing in the classroom. Parents can listen to their own child tell a story, sing a song, or read aloud! It’s a great way to get them involved in their child’s learning.