Thing #8

This week we're taking a step away from the visual world of text on a screen and focusing on audio and video as it relates to Web 2.0.  Podcasts refer to non-musical audio or video broadcasts that are distributed over the Internet.  They take many forms, from short commentaries to longer interviews or discussion panels.  The nice thing about podcasts is that because they use the MP3 format, you really only need a computer with headphones or speakers to listen to them.  An iPod or other MP3 player isn't a requirement for taking advantage of podcasts!  The most popular service for finding and downloading podcasts is iTunes, but you don't have to have that program installed to find podcasts.  Below are some directories that have all kinds of podcasts collected that don't require a download as iTunes does.  I've focused on educational resources, since that's our main focus, but be aware that podcasts exist for about every subject imaginable.  (And of course, iTunes is a great place to find podcasts too if you have it downloaded.)
The Education Podcast Network
Apple Learning Exchange--Educational Podcasts
Education Podcasts
Podcasting News

Podcasts can also be helpful as a teaching tool to create with students.  You probably noticed on the directories above there were several classes or schools who had posted student-created podcasts.  To create a podcast, all the equipment you need is a microphone, headphones, and a computer with podcasting software on it.  Audacity is a program that can make recordings, and it is a free download.  Go here to learn more about Audacity.  (As a side note, Mr. Philbrick uses Audacity with his jr. high students in music technology and they find it relatively easy to use.  He has one pair of headphones with a microphone attached.  This may be something I think about investing in so we at the elementary school can explore creating podcasts with younger students.)

Next, take a look at VoiceThread.  It takes the idea of podcasting to a whole new level.  Basically, it is a way to discuss images and video with a group of people in an online environment.  Once you create an account, you can create individual VoiceThreads in which you upload images and/or videos, comment using text, audio, or video, and then share the VoiceThreads with other users who can comment using text, audio, or video as well.  Here is a link to a VoiceThread created by an educator to be used with other educators.
http://voicethread.com/share/3352/
The equipment needed to create a VoiceThread is mostly the same as to create a podcast, with the addition of a webcam if you're interested in making a video comment.

To complete Thing #8, browse through the directories listed above and find a podcast that interests you.  Then, with Thing #8 as your subject or heading, create a new post on your blog.  If you can, create a link with the podcast you found explaining why you found it helpful (It will be interesting for the rest of us to hear!).  If you can't figure out how to make a link, at least explain what the podcast was that you found.  Then give your thoughts on whether or not you think podcasts have a place in the classroom.  Do you see yourself using them, either professionally or with your students?  Next, share your impressions of Audacity and how you feel about actually creating podcasts with your students.  Finally, make some observations about VoiceThread.  Does the addition of images and/or video make this a worthwhile tool?  Do you see any application of VoiceThread in your classroom environment? (Don't forget, the Idea Sheet is still open to add your ideas about how to use these web 2.0 tools.  The more ideas that are included at the end, the more useful the document will be!)