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The term “podcasting” was formed by joining the words “broadcasting” and “Ipod”. Podcasting is the technology which allows audio content from websites to be distributed to consumers of that content. Podcasts can be listened to by using Ipods or other MP3 compatible devices. However, podcasts can also be listened to on your own computer with a software that can play audio MP3 files. This software can include Windows Media Player, Itunes, and Winamp, all of which can be downloaded for free from the Internet. Users are able to access podcasts via direct download or an RSS (Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) feed, which automatically downloads the podcast to the computer. For further information on RSS for educators please visit the link provided. http://weblogg-ed.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/RSSFAQ4.pdf
Why use podcasts in the secondary science classroom?
Podcasts can be an excellent way to integrate technology into the learning process. State standards often require this integration, which can provide a more in depth and richer learning experience. For starters, teachers can record their lectures and create a podcast that students, whether present during class or not, can listen to outside of the classroom. This facilitates student independent practice and allows numerous playbacks on difficult content topics. Teacher created podcasts are also useful to post homework assignments or projects with detailed instructions. With Internet availability, students and parents can access the assignment or project details, eliminating confusion of expectations and due dates. In addition, podcasts can be an excellent extension source for gifted and talented students. The classroom teacher can pose higher order questions as well as prompts on controversial issues. Another benefit to using podcasts is the ability to accommodate students with learning disabilities. With access to a podcast, students with disabilities can stop, rewind, and play again any part of a lecture that they need more clarity on. Lastly, teacher created podcasts can prepare students for the next lesson or unit. Instructional time during class is often limited, but a teacher can assign students to listen to a podcast detailing the next few lessons or unit. To save time during a lab, teachers can require that students access a podcast discussing the expectations and directions for the lab. Students will be expected to discuss the podcast or complete a worksheet to ensure they listened to the podcast. Using these techniques, the teacher can extend the learning process outside of the physical classroom as well as provided students with resources to facilitate content comprehension.
Podcasting in Biology:
Biology texts can often be difficult to read and a daunting task for many secondary students. Vocabulary terms are difficult to pronounce and concepts can be oddly abstract. Students, given the opportunity to listen to text as they read along strengthens not only their reading skills, but their comprehension of the subject matter. In addition, a biology classroom teacher can post links to the latest innovations and news in the biology field. Students could listen to these, yielding an increase of interest as well as becoming a educated citizen.
Podcasting technology offers a new dimension of teaching and learning in today’s biology classrooms. For teachers, they can integrate this technology into the curriculum using various strategies such as:
Interactive lectures: Teachers can use a wireless microphone during lecture to capture information that can be used in sequence with a PowerPoint presentation. This can be used as a tool for review and/or for students that are absent.
Substitute plans: A substitute will know exactly what parts of a lesson to implement and how. This could be exceptionally useful if the substitute teacher does not have a background in science.
Virtual field trips: Teachers can create these supporting classroom curriculum and discussions. Since financial support for field trips is often limited, this is an excellent way for students to be immersed in the biological world.
Test study guides: Students can listen to these any time they want and from anywhere they have Internet access. An audio study guide could contain difficult biology key terms and their definitions as well as test taking strategies.
Prepare for lab: Students can have access to lab expectations and procedures before class to ensure proper use of time.
Science in the news: Teachers can create engagement by discussing current issues in the news directly relating to unit being covered. The magazine, Scientific American, offers free podcasts on current news worthy science subjects. Visit their link, http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/
Supplementary materials: Teachers can allow access to university level podcasts that are not under copyright. These podcasts can be used as supplementary materials for those students who wish to see information presented in another way.
Students enrolled in biology can utilize podcasting technology in the following ways:
Everyday content applications: Students can record outside of class observations related to current biology curriculum taught in the classroom.
Completion of assignments: Used during laboratory exercises to record data and / or observations.
Projects: Students can use podcasts and embed them in multimedia presentations for an assigned project.
Alternative assessment: Rather than the standard paper and pencil test, students can demonstrate their knowledge of biological concepts by recording a podcast for the classroom teacher.
Materials Needed to Create A Basic Podcast:
A microphone
Audio editing software
A website or hosting service you can upload your podcast to
Once downloaded, extract the file into Audacity’s plug-in folder.
Step 3: Open up Audacity and record podcast. Feel free to highlight parts of the audio track and add effects.
Step 4: Click “File” then “Export” and name the file. Remember to choose MP3 as the format. Afterward, you may add meta-data to the MP3 tag, but this is not necessary.
Step 5: Upload the podcast to a RSS feed site such as Podbean (free) or Itunes music store. http://www.podbean.com/
Create a podcast with PowerPoint:
It has become more and more popular to use PowerPoint for lectures in the science classroom. For our purposes with podcasts, it is beneficial to include the slide show by recording it along with the podcast as you are lecturing. This process is outlined in the following video found in the link.
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