Drama - Podcast



By Christy Ogawa and Kyle Eshom

with Mackenzie Guest and Aubree Thumann

 

 

Image Source

 

About Podcasts

            Podcasts can come in many forms but are usually an audio recording that combines blogging and radio broadcasting and is published to the internet. Occasionally a podcast might have images or video added, but, in general, they are audio-only. Many podcasts include the option to subscribe, which makes finding out about and listening to newly released podcasts much easier. These are updates are published via RSS feeds and listeners are notified by aggregates--email services that track any and all updates by the podcast's hosts. Many podcasts are available to stream online, but there is often also an option for listeners to download the podcast MP3 audio files directly to their computers and MP3 audio players.

 

Sources:

http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k1967&pageid=icb.page23750

http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/230/what-is-a-podcast/

http://epnweb.org/index.php?view_mode=what

 

How To Create A Podcast

According to ehow.com:

  1. Download and install the Audacity program. If you have problems with this, the Audacity Web site offers support forums for help.
  2. Make sure you have a microphone and it is connected to your computer.
  3. Open the Audacity program. The Audacity control panel is very self-explanatory.
  4. Click on the "Record" button and Audacity will record anything you say into the microphone.
  5. Click the "Stop" button when you've said all you have to say.
  6. Rewind and play to hear what you have recorded.
  7. Save it as a MP3 and add to your podcast files, once you have your recording the way you want.

 


 

Sources:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2012191_create-podcast-audacity.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hrBbczS9I0

 

Common Podcast Uses

More often than not, people use them to receive updates on things such as:

People can also use podcasts to aid in their everyday lives, since they can provide things like:

Podcasts work well in school because many podcasts offer analysis and discussion on important topics, including:

 

Source:

http://www.feedforall.com/how-podcasting-used.htm

 

Podcasts In The Classroom

            Podcasts are extremely versatile tools in any classroom, with any subject. They are excellent for auditory learners and a novel way to share information that has been shown to capture student interest and increase engagement. Podcasts bring  "outside" information into the classroom, which helps establish real world relevance.

 

Source:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_as7U1ogqQ

           

Podcasts In The Drama Classroom

           Drama news is an important part of any Drama class and part of the CDE Drama and Theatre Arts Standards. Students can listen to professional podcasts to learn more about the business of theatre as it applies to Theatre Festivals such as The Shaw Festival, large scale productions such as those on Broadway, new theatre liteature and more.   American Theatre Wing has a variety of frequently updated, professional podcasts that cover an impressive variety of theatre related news subjects.

            Since performance is an important part of drama, podcasts double as a wonderful performance outlet. Students can record a dramatic podcasts and share them with the class and on sites like Kid_Cast, which is dedicated to producing and distributing podcasts for, by and from kids. This is a wonderful assessment of important theatre skills including characterization, memorization and delivery. Thanks to a renewed interest in radio drama, the internet has tons of great examples of dramatic podcasts, such as this one, off which students can model their own performances.

          Theatre is a process, why not document the process instead of the product? In the high school theatre setting, podcasts could be used as a reflective tool as well as a tool for demonstrating knowledge.  The cast members of Les Miserables for example, could each be required to create a podcast including the research they've done on the French revolutions and what role their character might've played during that time period; they could also elaborate on the historical events and atmosphere and how it is techincally or scripturally reflected in the production. These cast members could also be required to create periodic podcasts in which they document the ups and downs of their rehearsal process, character work, line memorization, historical research etc. The students could create podcasts and then later use them to inform a final reflective podcast to accompany a written assessment or project. This student podcast is a terrific example of podcasting within the context of theatre production.

          Knowing about and experiencing local theatre not only makes students more aware of their culture and community, but it exposes students to quality theatre, which is always an educational and enriching experiences. Having students create a podcasts that spotlights community productions, much like the well-known Neighborhood Stage Productions, encourages students to learn more about what's happening around them and share their knowledge with the class in a quick, entertaining and informative way.  

           Most classes, including theatre classes, usually require reading a book and writing a report on it. Podcasts allow you to break free of the "book report" format. Instead of summarizing in an essay, students can work together to "capture" the book in the form of a movie-style trailer. Not only does this assess students' knowledge of the material, but it also requires them to use creative writing and performing skills, all of which are essential to the creative drama classroom. An Arkansas history teacher created a final project very similar to this idea, which can serve as a guide for teachers who are interested in integrating this great assessment into their own classroom.

            Finding podcasts outside of the sources listed above is easy. If iTunes is available to the class, simply search for theatre podcasts. iTunes has access to over 100 different sources that are appropriate for listeners of all ages. Classrooms without iTunes can still find plenty of podcasts through a basic search engine such as Google. Even better, most offer free subscriptions!

 

 

For Help and More Information

http://poducateme.com/

A site dedicated to helping K-12 teachers integrate podcasts in the classroom in creative, relevant and inexpensive ways. A wonderful resource for all content areas.

 

http://allanah.wikispaces.com/The+World+Is+My+Classroom

A humorous, easy-to-use guide to bringing Web 2.0 strategies and tools into the classroom. The podcast section is excellent.

 

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/ict/podcasting.htm

For even more podcasting strategies, visit this site.