All About Podcasts
- Apr 14, 2018
- 3 min read
Ben Hammersley was the first to coin the term, "podcast" in February of 2004 when he wrote an article for The Guardian. The word podcasting, previously known as audiobloging in the '80's, was derived from iPod and broadcast. Podcasts can be an audio file of books, music, reader's theater, news, commentaries, lectures, personal reflections, and many more. Audio files are cheaper and easier to produce compared to videos.
According to Jonathan Messinger, podcasts can be immersive as kids expand their imagination as they listen, especially the ones that tell a story. “Having no screen or visual in front of them lets kids’ imagination take over and run the show, and the intimacy of listening—hearing the voice or voices of the show’s presenter—really makes them feel like they’re a part of what’s unfolding,” he says.
Librarians can take advantage of this technology tool by having the students either be the creators or listeners to podcasts.
Students as creators:
record themselves read a short story or poem with expression.
do a reader's theater with sound effects.
audio guided campus/library tour to new students.
explain student projects displayed in the library.
campus newscast, interview, book talks, book recommendations.
Students as listeners:
listen to student-produced clips and provide a feedback.
listen to book recommendations or book talks.
follow recorded instruction for workstations.
listen to audiobooks and illustrate their favorite part of the story.
listen to advice recorded by outgoing students at the beginning of the school year and write their goals for the year.
Creating a podcast is fairly easy as long as you have a software or app that will allow you to do an audio recording. I used Camtasia to record the audio file before uploading it to three different sites - Soundcloud, PodOmatic, and Buzzsprout. Here are some of my observations:
Uploading an audio file to these sites were all comparatively easy.
All three offer a free basic account. Soundcloud offers up to 3 hours of upload time, PodOmatic provides 15 GB bandwidth/month (I used 6.6 GB for the 2.22 minutes of audio file I uploaded), and Buzzsprout allows up to less than 2 hours of podcast/month.
Even though PodOmatic widget looks better than Soundcloud, both provide three embedded widget options while Buzzsprout only has one.
I find PodOmatic website easier to navigate than Soundcloud. I was able to locate the podcast I created faster on PodOmatic than Soundcloud.
Of the three, Soundcloud would be the best option for a free basic account. It provides more upload time than the other two and offers more than one widget option. At $7.00/mo, it is the cheapest of the three to go pro.
Soundcloud
Podomatic
Buzzsprout
Here are some recommended podcasts for students:
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian: Science Fiction for Kids A serialized science fiction that started with an 8-year old Finn, his friends, and pet robots out to help aliens in far-off galaxy. It will surely entertain kids and expand their imagination. It encourages listeners to send in their tips to solve some great mysteries of the universe.
Science podcast that shares stories about science discoveries with the help of scientists. Kids will have fun listening while learning about interesting science topics.
A science podcast that is co-hosted by kid scientists and reporters from public radio. Host Holly Bloom asks interesting questions and takes listeners to where the answers will be found - it may be underwater or outer space.
Here are some recommended podcasts for teachers:
10-minute podcasts that tackles the use of technology in the classroom effectively. Teachers will gain insights as to the latest technology apps and how to utilize it.
Gretchen (Schultek) Bridgers provides tips and tricks to empower and refresh teachers.
Vicki Davis talks about using technology effectively in the classroom and building better relationship with students. Davis invites experts to help her discuss topics that are useful in the classroom.
Sources:
Fatherly. (2018, February 12). The 23 best podcasts for kids that
adults will like too. Retrieved from: https://www.fatherly.com/play/the-best-podcasts-for-kids/.
Hammersley, Ben. (2004, February 12). Audible revolution. Retrieved
from: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/feb/12/broadcasting.digitalmedia.
Kokias, Michael. (2017, July 7). 18 Best Podcasts for Kids in
Elementary, Middle, and High School. Retrieved from: https://www.weareteachers.com/best-podcasts-for-kids/.
Levy, Leah Ann. (2016, May 31). 36 educational podcasts to energize
your teaching. Retrieved from: http://www.fusionyearbooks.com/blog/educational-podcasts/.
Murray, Jacqui. (n.d.). Technology in the classroom: how, why to
use podcasts. Retrieved from: http://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-how-why-use-podcasts.
Rodgers, Linda. (2018, February 1). Prime Time for Podcasts.
Retrieved from: https://www.slj.com/2018/02/programs/prime-time-podcasts/.
Comments