If I were in a media specialist’s position I would be thrilled with this proposition from a teacher. Given that podcasting is a relatively new technology and schools tend to be 10 to 15 years behind technologically, I would be highly impressed that a teacher would want to take the initiative to bring this novel approach into the classroom. I have not had a great deal of experience with podcasting or the technology needed to create such media, but I would want to help bring his classroom to the forefront of this new form of communication.
The best way to describe my role would be as a research assistant. I would be doing some of the footwork to find tutorials and software. I would make this information accessible to the teacher, and I would assist him in using the new software. I also would make suggestions that may help scaffold both of us into the process of podcasting. For instance I might suggest that we start off trying to create podcasts in audio format only. There is free audio editing software available on the web. Audacity, available at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ is a great tool that can import or record audio files as well as edit, manipulate, layer, and much more. Its website has a wiki and tutorials for help, and all of the software and information is free. After we became proficient at creating and uploading audio podcasts, then we could move into the visual realm. We could begin to use software such as Camtasia and similar programs.
My entire role in this would be to help find and scaffold information, tools, and techniques that the teacher needed to get this idea off the ground. The teacher and students would provide the content and design choices. Together we could create something that few schools are currently doing. I would also want to provide follow-up and future support. I would want this teacher and others to continue this program into the future. I would also want to design in-services and teacher trainings so that this program could go school wide and for more than just one year. This is a dream situation for me, if I were a media specialist because the teacher is showing initiative and drive in pushing the limits of what he is doing in technology and in giving his students a critically literate understanding of technology.
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4 comments:
Hi Holly -
Your school is going to love, love, love you! Not only do you assist by researching and scaffolding, but you also provide follow up! It never occurred to me to even state the need for follow up, but it is actually a no-brainer. Of course we have a responsibility as media specialists and facilitators to ensure the guidance we provide is well received and serves as a foundation for future efforts.
Thank you for pointing out the obvious!
I like the idea of using the podcasting for in-service training. I actually think this could be a huge help to an overburdened teaching staff, providing them a means to get their training in a more convenient and comfortable format.
The idea of creating an in-service for podcasting is really important.I was a teacher for 30 years before I retired and knew nothing about podcasting before I began this class. Most teachers are willing to try new things if they are first given the information and guidance they need to start. You as a resource person for teachers would be invaluable.
I like your idea about having podcasting go school-wide. This is a technology that all grade levels could benefit from. Some grade levels will need more help than others but I think each one has a great deal to learn from participating in it. Podcasting will offer each child a new and more interesting method of presenting their information and will excite them about learning about other technology.
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