Have you thought of using Podcasting as a learning tool for your classroom? If not, it is something to consider. It can be simple with today’s technology and it offers easy access for students by being available on phones, tablets or laptops!
It doesn’t take a lot of looking to see the number of Podcasts available now: financial advice, talking heads, even morning radio personalities have a space in the Podcast world. Maybe you have a classroom situation where a Podcast can benefit you best.
What is a Podcast?
A Podcast can be as simple as recording a lecture and posting the MP3 file on a server. While this is useful, a more typical Podcast is structured in edited segments and highlights the personality and delivery strengths of the host.
Benefits of using Podcasts
Podcasting can be an extremely helpful learning tool. It allows students to access lectures, discussions or other course events multiple times and it allows professors to catalog episodes that may be used again in other semesters or other courses. If taken to a higher level of production, Podcasts can become an even more dynamic and creative medium for learning.
The first thing you need to decide is if you want your Podcast to be a simple record of a class lecture or presentation, or if your idea is to create a more complicated production. You may want the Podcast to be more of a reflection of your personality as an ongoing show.
If you want to record your lecture, then a simple voice recorder can be effective enough, but if you want to explore more possibilities, getting a good editing program will be essential.
Finding your Editing Program
If you want an editing program that will do everything you want and is FREE, then Audacity (free download) is for you. This software can record your voice, edit out bad moments of the conversation, and even add music or other background complements to the presentation.
More options are available on Adobe Audition (licensed by WSSU). The program allows more control over effects and what you may add to the file. You might want to get both of these programs and then decide which one works best for you depending on your editing needs.
So, what about a Podcast?
Using a Podcast format can be an evolving process. Begin with some simple ideas and if you’d like to explore more sophisticated production, move on to that as you become comfortable. For a very simple start the following video is helpful:
