Course Reflection

Click on the link below to view my presentation of my course reflection.

https://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dq9p3bq_1gfsvmwhj

Using Podcasts in the Classroom

This podcast was an interesting assignment and a great learning experience.  This is my first experience with using Podcasts.  Even though I feel like I am technologically savvy, there is still so much more to learn.  I do not own an IPod or mp3 player (I know I need to catch up with technology myself) and I use my computer for work and course work mostly.  Recording my voice was a challenge for me. I was worried about the way I sounded and any background noises.   I think podcasts could be interesting to use in the classrooms.  In my math class, I could record my voice as I am explaining a lesson for students to review when they leave school.  This could be beneficial for them as they are completing their homework or studying for a test.  For students who are auditory, this could be very beneficial to their understanding of the material.  I use the Smart Board daily in class. It has a feature to “record.” Using the record feature along with recording my voice would be helpful to many students especially for students who are absent or confused about a lesson.  This could be posted to a website daily.

                “Podcasting is the creation and distribution of amateur radio, plain and simple” (Richardson, 2010, p. 112).   This is a way for everyone to get their voice heard by groups of many.  Podcasts are being used by everyone “businesses, churches, governments, and even schools (Richardson, 2010, p. 113).  Students need to learn how to use and create this method of technology.  They also need to become familiar with RSS feeds, so they can stay current on blogs and podcasts.  This will be part of their lives beginning in the present.  Podcasting is another way for students to be creative and a way to archive their lives for future audiences (Richardson, 2010, p. 115).  This is a great way for students and teachers to show parents and the community what is going on in the classroom and it can be used for many years. 

                This assignment was time consuming and frustrating at times but when I “got the hang of it” it was an easy assignment.  Finding time to make my audio recordings was difficult.  As a busy mother and teacher, it was difficult to find a quiet time.  I did the best with what I had.  I did enjoy editing and piecing my audio together. 

                The survey my students answered was an eye-opener for me. It was interesting to read that even though technology is so prevalent in the present world, it is not prevalent in my students’ lives.  My students use the normal teenage technology: cell phones, Ipods, mp3 players and computers.  They are not using the technologies they need for their future: blogs, wikis, podcasts and many more.   Schools are not preparing them for life after school, college and the workforce.  One student really seemed concerned with the lack of preparation is education is giving him for his future.  Every day, I think about this as I seen him sitting in my classroom and I think “what can I do to help prepare him for his future.”   This is the reason I am completing my Master’s Degree in integrating technology in the classroom.   I hope to learn many ways to help my students but the school districts need to come up with plans to use across the board to help all our students. 

Resources

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Student Technology Survey