Stephen’s first attempt at this blog thingy!

In my blog I have been discussing the benefits of using podcasts in Education. I will now summarise the key issues and points for using them in education in particular primary education. Firstly I will define the word podcast as being “an audio and/or video files which users can subscribe to and download onto their computers and media devices (mp3 players oriPods)”.(Grant, 2007, p.9)

Firstly, as all students learn differently and it is therefore inappropriate to simply teach all students in the same way and therefore it is necessary for teachers to incorporate styles of learning where possible. The inclusion of podcasts is one such way to cater for the needs of those who might learn better through listening rather than reading. Furthermore, by including video files in our teaching and learning episodes we are able to cater for both visual and auditory learners thus strengthening the learning for these students.

In addition to catering for the different learning styles there is evidence that podcasting in the classroom can have a dramatic impact on student motivation. In all articles it was suggested that by incorporating the listening of podcasts into the learning students were better able to take ownership of their own learning as a result of having access to information at their own convenience.

Not only are there significant benefits to motivation in listening to podcasts teachers have also seen the benefits of having students create their own podcasts. All articles described how student motivation in their learning had increased when the lesson involved the production of podcasts. This was not exclusive to the recording component of the process but was also extended in the written components such as the scripting. This was illustrated best in the research project where fourth grade students were creating their own podcasts and students were voluntarily taking their work home so they could do additional preparation for self interest podcasts that they were producing.(Vardy, Kervy & Reid, 2007, p.66)

The key point that needs to be made about podcasting is that even if the students are highly motivated and appear to be engaged in the activity it is of vital importance that these types of activities are heavily linked to the curriculum. Podcasting has the potential to be a powerful tool in any classroom but the activities need to be worthwhile in terms of their educational value.

Fundementaly I believe that technologies like podcasting should not therefore be used for the sake of using it, there needs to be a clear purpose behind its use in the classroom.

Reference List

Cebeci, Z., Tekdal, M.,(2006) Using Podcasts as Audio Learning Objects. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects, Volume 2, 47-57

Grant,L. (2007). Podcasting in learning. Curriculum Matters, 6(4), 9-12.

Huann, T,Y., Thong, M,K.,(2006) IT Literature Review:Audioblogging and Podcasting
in Education veiwed at http://edublog.net/astinus/mt/files/docs/Literature%20Review%20on%20audioblogging%20and%20podcasting.pdf (07/03/2008)

Pasnik, S., (2007) iPod in Education: The Potential for Teaching and Learning viewed at http://images.apple.com/education/ipodpaper/iPod_in_Education_whitepaper.pdf (08/03/2008)

Vardy, J., Kervin, L., Reid, D., (2007) iPods and Podcasting Technologies to Support Talking and Listening Experiences of Grade 4 Students. Literacy Learning:the Middle Years
, 15(3), 57-70

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