Podcasting in Education....what's it all about?

By now you have probably listened to at least one podcast in your life, or you are at least familiar with the term when it is referenced. However, you may still be struggling with how you could actually use podcasting as an instructional tool and the whole podcasting process.

Podcasting has huge potential in education. According to EDUCAUSE’s The Horizon Report –2006, podcasting, is “at the leading edge of a wave that will last for the next several years and beyond.” Podcasting allows a different venue for teachers to deliver their message to today's students who are plugged into technology!!! I bet if you surveyed your students, you would discover that the majority have access to one if not all of the devices that students can use to listen to podcasts on their own time: Computer with Internet access? Some form of an MP3 player? Cellphone?

Podcasts can either be teacher centered or student centered depending on your goal and the desired audience. Teacher centered podcasts could include class lectures, group discussions, questions you want the students to address, vocabulary word definitions, test review materials, video demonstrations of labs or math problem solving steps, or just additional information that you would like to share. These types of podcasts enhance student learning by allowing the student to revisit the material on their own schedule and as often as they may need. Think of the benefits this provides to the auditory learners or those that learn from multiple repetition of information. Student centered podcast projects can be used to measure their writing and speaking skills, as well as, their comprehension of a given topic. Some examples could include book reviews or recommendations, math concepts, test taking strategies, current affairs, debates, "ask an expert" episodes, historical presentations, etc.

Please visit ESM's Software and Equipment Tutorial website to view the podcasting resources. These materials will help you understand the whole process and assist you in developing your own podcasts or podcast projects for your classroom.

Enjoy!

Lotus Notes: Saving Storage Space Tip

Here's a little tip to help you conserve your email storage space. If you are someone who tends to keep every email that you have ever received...this simple step when replying to messages will help.


Make sure to choose the "reply without attachments" option from the Reply options drop down menu when replying to an email message that has a document attached. Click the drop down arrow next to the "Reply" link to access the reply options list.

PowerPoint: Layer Images by Applying them to 3D Shapes

Did you know that PowerPoint has a 3-Dimensional drawing toolbar that allows you to create layered (or stacked), 3-D Images? Creating these kinds of images allows you to place more on a slide than you can with flat images without cluttering the screen. It also lets you show a hierarchy or structure in a visually compelling way!! You can then view the 3-D image in detail by hyperlinking it to a 2-Dimensional version of the same image. VERY COOL!!

To learn more about this technique and to see an example, click the link: http://www.esmschools.org/Data/FileManager/ESM%20High%20School/Computer%20lab%20pics/PowerPoint%203D%20Toolbar.Layering%20Images.pdf

ePals - Global Learning Community

Are you familiar with ePals? ePals is not a new website, they have been around for about 12 years. However, ePals is one of those FREE websites that just keeps getting better and better....so it's worth a tip!! ePals is a very easy to use global collaboration site that allows teachers and students a safe and secure way to connect with classrooms around the world or just around the corner! By using the Classroom Match feature, teachers can choose to connect with either a classroom or a project. Search projects by topic of interest, find a classroom using maps, or submit your own project in hopes that another classroom wants to connect with you!! Getting started is as easy as setting up an account, and either clicking the Classroom Search button or the Connect Tab located at the top of the page. It's that simple!! Please note, that ePal accounts do require an email address and students under 13 will require parent permission. However, in addition to their Classroom Match component, ePals also offers free and safe SchoolMail and SchoolBlogging. You will want to keep parent permission forms on file and I recommend that the letter describe the project, its' purpose, the time frame, and its' connection to the learning standards.

To learn more about ePals, click this link that takes you to their ePals overview page:
http://www.epals.com/groups/about/pages/epals-overview.aspx
While here, take a minute to watch the "What is ePals and How Does it Work Video", located in the lower right corner.

Below are a couple examples of how ESM teachers are currently using.....or hope to use ePals with their students!!

Stevi Suib, a high school Spanish teacher , has been using ePals for years. She currently is involved in a project with an ESL classroom from the Dominican Republic. Her students will be corresponding in Spanish with the students from the Dominican writing back in English. She also plans on sending recorded audio files of her students speaking the language in the near future!! How cool is that!!

Kevin Michaud, an 8th grade social studies teacher, submitted his own project that is looking for a classroom to collaborate with on the book entitled "Flag of Our Fathers" that he is having his students read.

Paul Holzwarth, a 5th grade teacher at Fremont Elementary, is having his students collaborate with kids from the Cree Indian Nation in Northern Manitoba. His kids are very excited!!

If you too are an ePals user, and would like to share your experience with other teachers....let me know and I can spread the word!!