Podcast Long Response

Define what a podcast is and compare/contrast it to one other technology:
A podcast is basically a combination of an ipod and broadcasting put together. So you can broadcast from any place to many people. You can but do not have to use an ipod, it is most listened to on the computer. She compares it to Tivo in the way that on both machines you can record the shows you want to (watch/listen to) so that you will not miss them. She also compares it to radio in the same way that you can record the shows you want to hear for later. With podcasts you can pause them at any point with radio you cannot. Also, radio shows are cheap and podcasts are not.

Three examples of useage in the classroom:
-Gives you the ability to connect your children with the entire world, from students from all over the world.
-Put their homework assignments on the podcast, it makes the students more willing to do it.
-The work students do can be easily shared with parents, family, friends, and people all over the world instantly.

Why would a teacher want to use podcast in the classroom:
It seems as though podcasts would be extremely engaging. They have the ability to connect students with students all over the world. Students could be more into the lesson and the homework if there is some involvement of the podcast. You can use just audio podcasts, audio and pictures, audion and "flashcards." If it's so easy that a kindergardener can do it then it seems as though it could be easy enough for a teacher to learn it as well.


Why would a teacher NOT want to use podcasting in the classsroom:
Some teachers and people in general do not believe that technology like this is going to be useful in their lives. Teachers have been at this for many many years being successful without the help of podcasts so I'm sure there are some out there who do not believe they need it. Possibly as well they do not really have the patience to learn or are not good at learning new technology, being technology immigrants and all. Maybe some teachers do not believe they have the time to create or work with podcasts.

What do you really think about podcasting now that you know more about it:
I think that it soounds really interesting. Podcasts sound like a tool that I would love to learn how to do and hopefully like it enough and feel comfortable enough with it to use it in my classroom. The podcast, though long, was actually very helpful. The only problem is that I wish it had been a video one as well so I could have seen her examples during her speech. It was a little frustrating to sit and listen to something, trying to understand, and not being able to comprehend because there is no visual example. I am very excited to actually SEE podcasting because that could really be the break through point for me.