Ch.7 Communication with Technology

When creating podcasts in the classroom, these audio files may be downloaded by the students to listen to independently or in a learning station in the classroom. Or, they may be heard via a website or weblog. There are many ways to create podcasts. And, they may be used in various cross-curricular learning. Here are a couple lesson ideas that you can use when incorporating podcasting in education.

Word-of-the-Day/Week

For this lesson, teachers can create word-of-the-day (or week) lists. The recording may include:

• Word (pronounced properly)
• Syllabic pronunciation of the word
• Spelling of the word
• Meaning of the word
• The word in a sentence
• Synonyms and/or Antonyms of the word

This type of lesson is very useful when teaching a new language and introducing new linguistic concepts.

Class Report

For this lesson, teachers can create a summary of class activities for students and/or the families on a weekly or monthly basis.

Alternatively, students may work in groups to take turns in creating reports or summaries of what they've learned and/or what they did in class. This may then be listened to in class and/or shared with families.

Podcasting and Web 2.0 applications are similar in using audio and video to produce a product to be made available online.  Podcasting can be downloaded to MP3 players, iPods and iPhones so that one can listen or watch at their convenience.

Yes, I own a MP3 player and I use for listening to music when I go for a walk or cleaning house.  I do have a student that uses an iPod in the classroom.  We use it for his schedule of classes.  This student is a special education student and is a visual learner.  By being able to use the iPod to see his schedule and the pictures allows him a bit of self-determination skills. 

Online communication tools give students lots of advantages to learning and if there is anything that can help a student grasp the lesson than I’m all for it.  The only disadvantage for me as a special education educator is finding the time to set up and use online communication tools for each students individuals needs.  Not all students can or is able to use the tools by themselves.

References:

Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R.M., & Crismond, D. (2008). Community building with technologies. In D. Prybella (Ed.), Meaningful learning with technology (pp. 140-165). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.