Blog Post 5

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom

The video discusses many ways in which students as well as teachers can use podcasts. In the video, there is a clip of a girl who is sick. Because she cannot go to school, she will miss the necessary work needed for future assignments. There is hope, however. Podcasts offer the solution. Her teacher uploads podcasts of the lecture so that anyone can access them through the internet at any time.
I have always viewed podcasts as only informational. This video has expanded my knowledge by showing how podcasts can be used in creativity. Not only can you record audio with podcasts, you can also record video. This makes for a different representation of role play and gives visual to various circumstances. Also, with podcasts parents are able to “see and hear what their children are doing at school.”


Judy Scharf Podcast Collection

As I began to explore Scharf's collection, I noticed the amount of information on podcasting was larger than expected. Scharf has everything broken down into periods for students. This is effective because it gives the student a goal to reach that is not seemingly impossible. She also lists suggestions for podcast topics for the students as well as a detailed list of the layout and rubric each podcast should contain.
Using podcasts are not as simple as they appear. Sure anyone can make a podcast, but not everyone uses the amount of detail Scharf describes. In order to make podcasts fun for students, remind them that “the term 'podcast' is a cross between 'broadcast' and 'iPod.'” Students are aware that iPod's are fun as well as radio broadcasts, so when combined, why not convince them that podcasting is fun?


100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better

I knew that there were many uses for the iPod. However, I had no clue they extended this far. For such uses like extensive variations of studying, tutorials, multiple downloads, and connectivity between users, it's clear why the Apple is on top. With this rise in technology, soon everyone will use an iPod to and for its full capabilities, much like everyone uses a cell phone today. Things like the iPod as well as many other Apple products will become primary systems in the world of education.
What are we to think of this new idea that 'electronic' learning is better than what we have done in the past? Most could argue that by using more technology in education, children are exceeding their parents' knowledge of the subject. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however. A great goal in life is to learn as much as possible every day, regardless of how. The iPod just makes things easier.