Podcasting In the Classroom

What are podcasts?

Podcasts are a type of digital media (audio, video...) that allow you and others to upload, download and share being archived on the internet in such a way to allow listeners to easily access them from a personal computer and or download.

How would they be helpful in a schooling environment?

The use of podcasts within the schooling environment would be extremely beneficial for both students and teachers. Teachers are able to use podcasting for various reasons, for example to introduce the class to a particular topic, as a means of assessment, to encourage collaborative learning and much more. They are able to use podcasts to provide additional knowledge or to help students revise material they have already covered.

One major advantage of introducing podcasting into the classroom is the flexibility of learning it enables. Mostly, this would advantage higher education students, such as high school or further study, as those students would be able to download podcasts to listen to/watch outside of the schooling environment such as when they're at the gym. 

Although younger students may not be able to use podcasting outside of the classroom, it is still an extremely valuable education tool. It allows students to use their creativity, their collaboration skills, their brains. It engages students in their learning and allows an interesting way of learning and presenting information and assignments as oppossed to reading a text book and writing an essay.

"Creating a podcast allows students to share learning experiences. It provides them with a world-wide auidence that makes learning meaningful and assessment authentic." (Department of Education, 2012).

PODCASTING IN THE CLASSROOM– PMI CHART
POSITIVE	MINUS	INTERESTING
Students are able to produce their own media podcasts	Copyright issues – anyone can take another person’s work without acknowledgement.	Does not have to stay confided to the classroom. Students are able to conduct discussions outside of the classroom – such as conducting interviews
Caters to different types of learners	As anyone can upload a podcast, when using it for a learning tool it may be time consuming finding a valid and correctly researched podcast	For older students (high school) podcasts are able to be listened to as a study/learning tool outside of school such as on their way home from school or when they’re at the gym
Allows students to create new knowledge by listening to other podcasts and sharing their own	If allowing students to use their IPods in class to watch podcasts, they may become distracted and off task	Teachers are able to use podcasting as a creative tool to keep students engaged and to enhance their learning
Provides a collaborative learning environment		Teachers and students are able to select which podcast they wish to listen to in the field of their study
Usually podcasts aren’t overly long, ensuring students do not get bored and off track		Students are able to not only share their views but are able to hear countless other opinions by experts, other students etc.
Students are able to use podcasting as an assignment presentation tool by creating an analysis type podcast
Easily downloaded

REFERENCES:

Department of Education, 2012. Podcasts in the classroom. Viewed 3rd August, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/podcasts/