The Media Specialist and Podcasting by Sharon H.

When I become a media specialist, I would sincerely hope that at least one teacher would approach me about podcasting. In that way, I could be honest with this person and explain that though I am no expert in this area, I would certainly be willing to learn as much about it as possible. Having someone with you when you naviagating uncharted waters is always a great help. First, the teacher and I would sit down together and discuss how we would like to approach the possiblity of creating podcasts. How do we learn the information we need to know to be successful? What technical personnel is available to answer any questions we may have?
If no teacher approached me first, then I may even choose a teacher to collaborate with that I thought would be open and responsive to new ideas. We would start out slow by learning one particular skill such as recording our voices and playing them back to see how we could improve the quality of the sound. Later, we could add music and/or sound effects. Then, I think we would try podcasting in the teacher's classroom with the students. We could have the students record the morning announcements or a short book report. Once other teachers have seen what podcasting can do, they may enthusiatically join in as well. The more teachers that begin to use podcasting with their students, the more creative ideas will be developed and implemented within the school. Some useful ways to include podcasting in the school could be:

Students recording their own voice while reading and then playing the audio back to check for fluency and pronunciation.

Students becoming an important historical person and recording a narration telling about a significant historical event involving their person. The student could even pretend to be that person by using first person point of view.

Student doing a recording that explains and narrates their science project.

Students reporting on a current news event.

Two students having a debate about a particular topic. One could take the pro side and the other the con side.

There are many valid and varied possibilities for using podcasting in education. This technology is an exciting new tool that can be used to challenge and enrich the student, the teacher, and the media specialist.