Technology+Toolbox-+TV

=Using Podcasting in the Classroom=  A **podcast** is a series of [|digital media] [|files] (either [|audio] or [|video]) that are released episodically and often [|downloaded] through [|web syndication]. (Source:www.wikipedia.com)

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Podcasting In the Classroom Video
[|Podcasting: Tips For Teachers] Shelly, N. (2010).Podcasting in the Classroom. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~nshelley/

This website is a user friendly reference for creating and assessing student podcasts. This site outlines specific details for helping guide students and teachers through the three stages of making a podcast: pre-production, production, and post-production. This website also offer a separate menu explaining the process of creating a podcast in "student friendly" language. Because this site is easy to navigate and explains the steps of podcating in a simply manner, it would be an ideal site for teachers and students that are beginning podcasting to access. In addition to the podcasting tutorial, this site offers other podcasting sources on the internet that can be helpful to educators.

[|Podcasting for Teachers and Students] Vincent, T. (2009). Podcasting for teachers and students. Retrieved April 4, 2010, http://learninginhand.com/storage/podcasting_images/Podcasting_Booklet.pdf

This booklet explores all the possibilities of podcasting in the classroom. It begins by sharing good places to view quality podcasts online, so that educators can get a feel for what a quality podcast looks like. Then the booklet describes, in detail, the different types of podcasts available. After showing what podcasting has to offer, the author guides the reader step by step through the pre-production, production, and post production of creating an original podcast. Finally, the author ends with a chapter of publishing your podcast online. This is an excellent resource for a first time podcaster. I like how the author begins by assisting the reader in locating examples of good podcasts. It's difficult to know if you are utilizing technology to its full potential if you have never seen a quality example.

[|Why Podcasting Matters] Apple Inc. (2010). Why Podcasting Matters. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from http://www.apple.com/education/podcasting/

Apple Inc. devoted a portion of their website to discuss the importance of podcasting and its significance in the classroom. The four reasons that Apple claims podcasting is important is because it moves with your students, it goes beyond books, it changes the classroom, and it keeps you current. In addition to explaining the importance of podcasting, Apple offers a link to articles and stories about successful podcasting experiences in the classroom. The site also connects you to a page on determining the devices you need to make podcasting possible in your classroom, as well as other podcasting references on the internet. While it is clear that Apple want to sell its own products to make the podcasting possible, they do an excellent job of providing examples and references about why podcasting is important to education.

[|PodOMatic.com]

The PodOMatic website provides a forum for users to create or upload their podcasts. The Podcasts are organized into several directories based on the topic of the podcast, or based on the city that the podcast was recorded in. The site offers two types of memberships; the basic membership is free, and the pro membership for $10.00 a month. The pro membership gives you more bandwidth, storage, and featured placement on the directory. Overall, I think this is a well organized website. The directory makes it easy for the user to locate a specific podcast topic.

[|My Podcast.Com]

This website provide a forum for people to audio podcast for free, and post their podcasts to the public. This site also provides a search engine for posted podcasts. The podcast forums answer questions about creating podcasts, posting podcasts, and finding advertisers to sponsor your podcasts. Although this site allows internet users to create a free podcast, and post podcasts easily, this site is not very easy to navigate. The search tool is not very organized and can make it difficult to find a podcast made at an earlier date.