Blog Assignment 4

Langwiches Blog
Ms. Tolisano works with first grade students to create podcasts about books they have recently read.  The students love the idea of working on these projects.  Not only does it allow them to become familiar with that certain technology, but it teaches them many skills as well.  Instead of just reading the book, the students were creative with their voices by changing their speed and inflections throughout the podcast.

These first graders created their own script in a question/answer format that included the characters from the books they read.  They use skills such as changing their speaking voice, storytelling, fluency, and they are learning new technologies at the same time.  Her blog has many ideas that many teacher can take and use in their own classrooms.

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom
Joe Dale believes that podcasting should be used in classrooms today.  Today's students have never lived without technology and they tend to want to learn when technology is involved.  He thinks that allowing the students to make their own podcasts will let them to be creative and learn the material at the same time.

Podcasts are great for students who miss an extended amount of class due to illness and they are also good for refreshing the days lesson.  The parents can also be involved in the students lessons because they too can listen.  They enhance a lesson and even pictures or short videos can be shown during a podcast.  Two places where you can create podcasts is through GarageBand and Audacity.

Judy Scharf's Podcast Collection
Ms. Scharf gives a brief definition of what a podcast is.  She gives links to step by step instructions on how to create a podcast using Audacity.  There are several tips she gives on how to succeed in making a podcast.  It's very important to let the student chose their topic and to let them choose the people they wish to work with.  When the students enjoy what they are talking about and who they are working with the end result will be much better.  This blog is very helpful with a lot of suggestions on podcast topics.  There are grading sheets, rubrics, and examples of podcasts.  This will definitely be a blog that I bookmark to be able use in my future!