Chapter 8 Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts

                When beginning to read this chapter about podcasting and other types of casting I was not even sure what the words meant. I found out that podcasting is creating radio sessions. I think that podcasting would be efficient for college classes in particular because most of them consist of mainly lecturing. I am not opposed to using podcasting for my own personal use to hear about education topics and apply them so I can better my classroom. I did appreciate that the users can use an iPod or mp3 player, but if they do not have either they can have the same connection using the internet. Having students that are unable to afford a personal music device is likely so I think it’s great that there is another option available. I like the idea of the student’s radio show, but if it were to be an on running show I think it would fit best as an extracurricular. I loved the idea of the “Coleycasts” by Brent Coley where students create podcasts with slides relevant to what they are learning. I think it would be fun to create different podcasts to help future classes learn about a topic, or even another class that hasn’t been taught the information yet.  I liked that the chapter included information about the Audacity tool because it seems that it would really be useful if using podcasts. 

                The chapter also talked about different video tools that can be used. I love using YouTube because you can almost always find what you’re looking for.  I do not necessarily agree with YouTube being blocked in schools because I think that it offers many opportunities to be used in education. I agree with the author’s point that we should prepare our students to deal with content because when they get home and go onto the internet there is usually no limitations on what they can see. I am undecided about the video uploads because I know there would be concern with parents having their children on video. Using podcasts or screencasts would be more acceptable and less likely to be questioned.

                I think screencasting is something I would include into my classroom.  It would be perfect for showing how something is done on the computer. I am excited about the idea of having students narrate their own work as it is shown on screen. Some students may be anxious about speaking in front of the class, but using a screencast could help them ease into it. Screencasts are something that would excite students while letting them feel less pressured when developing it.