The benefits of "podcasting" as my students know it lies in inspiration. The kids just cannot wait to use any type of technology. The promise of using the laptop to produce a "podcast" inspires the students to research the topic and use writing skills to create the script. Even the aspect of recording their own voices has some positive affects. Students strive for better enunciation and grammar so they can sound their very best.
The main detraction from podcasting is in it's pure audio nature. It seems there is a greater percentage of visual over audio learners. Visual learners are disadvantaged and at times may lose their train of thought or understanding. This can be very detrimental if audio is the only source of learning for a particular topic.
Laura - what a great idea to podcast your students storytelling. Was it difficult to manage? What progam did you use? And how much time did you need to get the production done? My second and third graders have just started working on fairytales and legends now too. In May I'm planning on having them write their own. But I think they would be very excited to podcast it too.
ReplyDeleteI can see the confusion with podcasting vs simple audio recording, particularly with younger students. Yet when they get the concept of broadcasting to an audience the excitement grows.
ReplyDeleteso in a few years students will arrive in universities expecting a whole new way of media engagement ... they will see themselves as media producers ... correct?
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