The New Wave is Here

Just as tsunamis can travel around the world, through the access of computers, something even more powerful is taking over on land - podcasting. According to Gatewood in Podcasting: Just the Basics, this new revolution in education, "podcasts contain information on almost any topic, delivered via the Internet in audio or video form. They allow learners to access information at anytime from anywhere, with no constraints-just the free flow of information". This development is huge in that it's a whole new experience in learning. I believe it has the momentum and the power to circumnavigate the world! I just don't see it taking over too soon in the educational field. I've found that the young teachers are incorporating podcasting techniques into their teaching, but the many more veteran educators are less comfortable with applying new technologies into their practice. I feel if we can show even a few at a time how powerful podcasts can be, they will assist in engaging their students, more interactive learning can be done, and it will tumble rapidly thereafter to produce well-rounded citizens.

How might we approach such a feat? Many applications of pocasts were suggested by Lamb and Johnson in Podcasting in the school library, part 1: integrating Podcasts and vodcasts into teaching and learning. Among these possibilites were collaborative projects with buddy readers, interviews with specialists, and virtual tours to museums. To locate podcasts, Education Podcast Network (http://epnweb.org/) was provided where podcasts are broken down into elementary, middle and secondary schools and then into specific subject areas. Another great connection was about how to evaluate a podcast. Kathy Schrock's "Evaluation of Podcasts" (http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/evalpodcast.html) provides a checklist for students to critically look at podcasts; a great tool to add to their repetoire. I know I'll be using this one.

Not only does this approach allow for increased teaching implimentation, but it assists with professional development as well. Gatewood also states "podcasts are changing the way we teach, learn, and communicate. They offer one more method to help teachers build better curricula, provide their students with differentiated instruction, increase their knowledge of educational topics through ongoing professional development". This is a positive attribute for any teacher.

Even the teacher who has been teaching for many years can liven up their teaching by supplementing podcasts into their curriculum. Here's an example of one such experience: as I was going to a class to deliver a note to a teacher, the teacher has his laptop hooked up to a LCD projetor and was sharing a podcast relating to the humanities class that was in session. Now this class had the reputation of being a lively group. As I walk into this class, all eyes were drawn to the presentation that was taking place. Fully engaged, interested, mesmerized with the delivery. Granted this may not be the case with all podcasts, but the more they are developed through sheer demand, the better they will become. It's not just in the classroom where a difference is being made.

This goes even further than the classrooms, as the school librarian can incorporate podcasts onto the school website or blog to inform all interested parties of current events, tutorials on research skills, allow students to conduct book reviews, and use as a communication tool for parents. Will this wonderful technology take away from the personal, social aspect of schools that we know of today?

Picture this new world once the podcast tsunami has taken over. Students no longer need to go to school, they just log in to their computers from home. Their teachers can instruct the lessons on an individualized basis due to the differentiated learning that can be incorporated. Even the science labs can be viewed in vivid detail. Yes, this could be the schooling of the future. What would be the ramifications if this came to pass? Where is the physical activity? Where is the personal social interaction? Could this type of society be sustainable?

Sources

Gatewood, Kelly. (2008). Podcasting: Just the Basics. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 44(2), 90-93. Retrieved from ProQuest Education Journals. (Document ID: 1404441791).

Lamb, Annette & Johnson, Larry. (2007). Podcasting in the school library, part 1: integrating Podcasts and vodcasts into teaching and learning. Teacher Librarian, 34(3), 54-57. Retrieved from ProQuest Education Journals. (Document ID: 1204860731).