When Voice Is More Than Enough

We've all been integrating more tech into the curriculum in our classrooms.  Doors have been opened virutally through Skype and the connections with other classrooms have been meaningful.  So, for our December PLC meeting the focus altered on utilizing our new Snowball microphones more through Podcasting.   

If you haven't checked out our conversation we had during the meeting in the last blog post, be sure to.  We used Vocaroo, the simplist way to record out there, and implemented the tool in a way that we plan to with our students.  The discussion we had went over numerous tools, ideas, as well as answered questions that came up. 

Our virtual meeting was with Chris Hyde, a Technology Integrator from Pennsylvania.  During the Skype call, we discussed various elements of Podcasting including:

1. Way to Publish Student Work - new way to "hang" stuff in the hall

2. Station/Center - tools and equipment ready for students to create

3. Review/Practice -downloadable option to student iPods and use at home to study

4. RSS - subscriptions

5. Student Showcase - way to explain another project that students have done

6. Tools - Audacity, Aviary, and GarageBand

7. Ideas - How can't you use a podcast?...so many ideas were thrown out, my mind is now drawing a blank!

He shared with us a wiki full of resources about Podcasting and a LiveBinder packed full of samples, help, and options.  Be sure to click on the tabs to find valuable information to get you started and inspired to try more!  He also referred to his Tech Tips Podcasts that offers a mixed bag of all sorts.  Chris works directly with classroom teachers and many of us are looking forward to connecting with them via Skype during the second half of the year. 

It was neat to see how since our last meeting, a mere week and a half ago, how the teachers on our PLC have already implemented the use of Vocaroo.  For example, Melissa's students used in along with the reading stories that correspond with our series and Nikki's students used it to make communication smoother with their ePals compared to lengthy typed messages.  It's nice and simple, plus gives you an embed code for your site or blog, a direct link to share, or allows you to email it to the receipients that you'd like.   

How do you use podcasts with your students? 

Please share your ideas with us.