Blog Assignment #4

                                                        Podcasting in the Post-Modern Age

I can't think of anything more innovative to come into play in the field of Education in recent years than the application of Podcasts.

In our day and age, most people are well-versed in the application of technology to their daily lives. Digital Immigrants and Natives pour into the streets of cities all over the world; updating their social media, taking photographs, capturing videos, sharing art and ideas. Capturing life.

A panorama of creativity exists in this, our Post-Modern age.

The same creativity and vivacity that exists in our modern world should (and is!) being applied to our Modern classrooms. I cannot think of a better medium to use for creative and interactive educational purposes than Podcasts.

Podcasts act as an amazing educational tool for a number of reasons! Podcasts are RELEVANT to students of the Digital Age. While I still view books as being a primary resource for Humanities subjects, Podcasts access areas of learning that books cannot. Students can collaboratively learn with Podcasts and create their own to exhibit what they've learned. In addition, students can subscribe to Podcasts for their area of interest whether it be Music, History, Theatre, Biology.

Moreover, most students seem to enjoy doing Podcasts. I feel this is not only because it is relevant to their daily lives, but because Podcasts engage students instead of merely lecturing and giving a test.

Podcasts are an amazing resource for people of all ages! Everyone from the young to old should find a Podcast that suits their area of interest. This is why Podcasts are a great educational medium for both Elementary and Secondary Education!

Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano's Blog "Langwitches" chronicled her experience with familiarizing 1st Graders with Podcasts by having them write a script for the book "Vacation Under the Volcano". This not only helped students foster reading and writing skills, but how to APPLY those skills and what they've learned to a medium where they can SHARE it! The students not only learned practical reading and writing skills, but the skill of applying technology, which they will need to know in our day and age.

Another 1st grade class in Ms. Tolisano's school used Podcasts in their Flat Stanley projects. If you're not familiar with the Flat Stanley project, students usually send a paper-cut out girl or boy to a location and have someone they know there take Flat Stanley around the city and take photos or videos of the locations with Flat Stanley. The goal is to learn more about other areas of the world!

However, the students in this 1st grade class were so inspired by Podcasts, they took it upon their selves to personify their own cut outs and mail "themselves" around the world. The students wrote a script detailing where they went, how they got there, and what they did when they got to their destination. The students then collaborated the script and developed a Podcast.

This once again shows that interactive learning by Podcasting not only engages students, but helps them learn along the way.

Teacher Joe Dale also supports the argument that Podcasts are an important educational medium. An important point Mr. Dale makes is that Podcasts are an effective way for students to learn outside the classroom. This is especially effective for absent students who are sick! It also functions as a great review tool in preparation for tests and learning in general. Podcasts also encourage project and cooperative based learning.

Mr. Dale's Blog: http://joedale.typepad.com/integrating_ict_into_the_/2009/04/the-benefits-of-podcasting-in-the-classroom.html

Ultimately, Podcasts are an effective way to engage students in learning. Podcasts are one of the most important ways in which we can use technology to teach students necessary skills and material. I couldn't imagine a more engaging and effective learning medium!