What are they?
Wikipedia defines Podcastas "a type of digital media consisting of an episodic series of files (either audio or video) subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication or streamed online to a computer or mobile device. The word is a neologism derived from "broadcast" and "pod" from the success of the iPod, as podcasts are often listened to on portable media players." Most Podcasts are short and tend to be episodic in nature with a familiar layout with a focus to the same audience, intro and closing.
My first podcast experience was from Monument Moments and while it was fun to do it did not seem to have enough bag for the buck. When creating the Podcast we had to be ever mindful for copyright and search for free source material or create our own through Garage Band. This was both fun and frustrating at times. Planning and breaking te segment into separate audio clips were key factors to the "success" of the Podcast. It was a great activity to help synthesize the information I learned about the George Mason Memorial, I feel it was not as successful for me as I am more of a visual learner.
Should you Podcast?
Podcasts teaches students and teachers to become "Content Creators". They requires students to internalize and synthesize information and requires students to become critical and analytical thinkers. Podcasts promote communication using various resources and can really engage students in a skill that they can call their own. There are 4 basic steps to follow when you create a Podcast.
- Plan - topic and format
- Produce
- Publish
- Promote
As I learned, it is important that you and your students take the time to plan, plan, plan, and then plan some more before you press record. It might also be beneficial to create a common sound, feel, and style for all class Podcasts to create comfort for the same audience each broadcast.
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