Podcast/Vidcast

What:

This week we learned about Podcast and Vidcast. Basically any devise that can record sound can make a Podcast and anything that can video tape can make a Vidcast. I didn't know that but I will go into that later.

Now What:

I always thought you had to have an iPod to make a podcast. I never knew that every time I record my astronomy teachers test reviews with my cell phone that I was making a podcast. The same with vidcast. Every time I use my cellphone or flip video camera and then up load the video for my family to see on line I am creating a vidcast. That's so cool. I'm ahead of the game and didn't even know it. I also didn't know how many different devise there are that can do both pod and vidcast. I already mentioned my cell phone and flip recorder but also my home computer if I have a camera on it, my lap top,my sons Zen and my husbands iPod touch ( if we were to buy the microphones) just to name a few. When I first saw what our assignment was going to be I didn't know if I would be able to do it because I don't have an iPod. But in technological world I think you would be hard pressed to find someone that doesn't have some kind of devise that would work.

So What:

I've been thinking about how I could use this new found knowledge in the classroom and more in my life. I served a mission for my church in France. My kids have always wanted to take French in school but were we live it isn't offered. The principal of our Jr. High even told me that he didn't think languages other than Spanish were important to learn. My nine year old daughter has my old french books and loves to look at them. Sometimes she will ask me how to say certain things. I could make a podcast of me saying some simple words for her to hear and practice and she could share it with her friend. When I am a teacher I could do the same thing with my ESL students to help them with English and if they have a computer at home they could share it with their other family members.

The vidcast could be a lot of fun. When I was a kid I hated missing school, especially when I knew we were going to do something interesting like a science experiment. As a teacher, when the class does an activity like a science experiment, I can tape it then upload it on my class web site so that students that are absent can still see it and know what everyone else is talking about the next day or for the students that were there, they could see it again and again and show their parents. I could also tape me showing how to do a new math concept. That way if a student is at home doing their homework and they can't remember, they could go back and watch it again. With so many working parents that can't come to assemblies and performances, I could tape those special moments and put them on the computer for the parents to see and share that moment with their child. Those are just a few ideas I came up with. I know I will think of more as I get into the field.

Video:

I found the video interesting. I have never really understood blogging. It's one thing my kids don't do. In some ways it's like a journal but anyone can read it. I do however see how it can be useful. As I have been blogging for this class I've noticed my spelling and punctuation improving some. I can see how students would like to share their ideas, thoughts, and culture with people from all over the world. I loved the movie Julie & Julia. As Julie blogged about going through Julia's cook book it was an escape for her. It helped her find her self. Children need more opportunities to express themselves and find themselves. I liked how the video showed the word empowerment. The child can feel in controle. Through blogging a student can improve their reading skills. If they are following a blog of a peer that they are really in joying then they will be more likely to ready it on a regular bases and any time we can get our kids reading is a good thing. Also they will want to respond to the blog and blog on their own. This will improve their typing skills, communication skills and writing skills. I know it has for me.

We need to try and utilize all the wonderful tools out their that we can so that our students can experience all the wonderful things this world has in it.