A not-so-scary Journey down Podcasting Lane
So, I’ll start by being quite frank and honest, since the first time I heard about podcasting, I’ve been afraid of it. I don’t know why; perhaps its why some people are afraid of the internet and others the ocean. It’s a big, dark, unknown and I have no plan of action for how to begin to tackle podcasting. However, Hargis and Wilson (2005) turn the “scary world” into an open door for the amateur podcaster, while
Richardson’s (2006) chapter, Podcasting and Screencasting: Multimedia Publishing for the Masses, provided the courage for entering.
I have just successfully downloaded iTunes (I know, it’s a sin that I haven’t yet) and I meandered through all of iTunes available podcasts. As
Richardson (2006) suggests “just getting familiar” with podcasts, I’ve spent time this afternoon just “playing” and learning. I agree with the authors of both pieces that podcasts offer an invaluable resource for education. From teacher created to student created podcasts, the creativity and freedom behind the source can help us all learn and grow. Similar to blogs, yet with the ability to be carried around on an iPod, podcasts offer another means of broadcasting information with the “freedom of speech”.
Interestingly though, I searched diligently for podcasts which may serve as a source, or resource, of/for preservice teachers’ self-reflections and found none. It appears the movement for reflecting on podcasts has not yet hit the ceiling in terms of popularity. However, this could be a new bridge to build as an avenue for preservice teachers to self –reflect. The question is, do you think preservice teachers would use podcasts? Would they listen, more than they offered? Or, would they speak more than they listened? Any thoughts on their thinking?
February 24th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Your post gave me so great things to reflect on regarding podcasts. I have been involved with the IPOD craze since they came out and use mine dilligently. However, I never seemed to make the connection between what my IPOD is capable of and what a PODCAST is until reading the article. You are able to do so much with technology these days, and I do agree it is another method of freedom of speech. Podcast seem more personal than other multimedia and even though they are not as known or utilized currently, it is only a matter of time before I am sure they will be.
It will be interesting to watch and see if they will be more accessible to academia or used as simply a social resource.
February 25th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I do not see how podcasts could be a useful forum for self-reflection. As an audio blog, a podcast might be a way for a preservice teacher to make public his or her reflections. As Nicole mentioned in her blog, people have different learning styles, thus some would rather talk than write. I have worked with preservice teachers, and they (just like us) are pressed for time. A discussion forum might be a better use of time for them to share their experiences with others going through the same things. As Nicole mentions, we need to consider the differences between personal uses and academic uses. Just as some blogs are personal journals made public, podcasts can be as well. An interesting assignment for preservice teachers might be to make a podcast with tips and comments to inform undergraduates who are considering a teaching career.
February 27th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Lydia,
Your post makes me think to the way human beings behave when there is something new. In her introductory course, Grammar online (2006), Dr.Byrd was explaning that new things always scare people. This fear comes from the fact that the new thing is unkonwn to us as well as from our lack of competency to handle it. However, should we allow this fear dissuade us from using the new tool?
As you came to realize, podcasting is full of pedagigical potentials for us. When I analyse the idea of these authors as for how it can foster conceptual learning, I think that we really need this new tool. However, I think that podcast presents some problems: 1) the material and financial cost; 2) Will it widen the gap between LSES and HSES students? 3) Recording one’s voice is not always appealing to learners. How can we handle all these parameters?