Podcasting – while you work
When I’m working from home, I’m often listening to podcasts in the background. Rather than my worn out music collection or some trashy radio station, I’ve subscribed to a range of podcasts. Examples include: Guitar Music Theory, Stuff You Should Know (from the guys at howstuffworks.com), Dr Karls Great Moments in Science, TedTalks (of course) and Triple J – Hack Highlights to name but a few. By subscribing, iTunes ensures I have access to the latest podcast from each of these sources, ready for me to listen to whenever I want to hit Play.
The range of content available is endless.
Just download iTunes for free and click on iTunes Store on the left. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find.
Beyond text
We know that there are now endless options available when you’re looking for quality broadcasts but considering how simple it has become to create our own, a favourite proverb of mine comes to mind.
Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.
- Confucius.
By creating a podcast the student can’t simply copy, paste and edit. Nor can they copy it verbatim from a book. They have to actually speak about it, and it has to sound good! They can then collect some visual references to accompany the audio. Music can be added to create a mood. The students should be encouraged to credit their source material. They should be encouraged to question their sources and to cross reference.
I recently heard a comment from a teacher who was concerned that by allowing the students to use the internet for research they would be exposed to the wrong answer. The problem is that by simply ‘not using the internet’ we’re not teaching them how to discern the difference between what may be right or wrong. Like it or not the internet is here to stay and is playing an ever increasing role in our lives. One major advantage is that we now have access to experts and wanting to share their knowledge with the world. Why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of that?!
UK – University College London lectures in iTunes
Speaking of quality broadcasts, here’s yet another world class university sharing their content. Do we really want to hide this from our students?
On the track -”What’s on athletes iPods?”
Do you think any one is going to take the iPods away from these guys?
Heading down the track for a training session? Make sure you’ve got your tiger balm, sneakers, stop watch and… iPod. Here you’ll find a video clip where every athlete interviewed identifies their iPod as a key motivator to hurling themselves down the track.
Written by Brad Halcrow.Brisbane Beyond Chalk Facilitator
