Journal 9

Web 2.0: Podcasting

A podcast is a collection of digital media files that can be shared with subscribers over the internet. Typically, web feeding allows podcasts to be downloaded to personal computers and portable media players such as ipods. The reason I picked podcasting for review is that it gives a digital voice to anybody who can afford a computer. Your average person is given a platform where they can record and share stories about their favorite pet, their trouble little brother or even a subject as mundane as lawnmowers. Pretty much any type of story can be shared. I love the fact that we no longer have to rely upon television and radio programming for news and entertainment. What we see is no longer decided by focus groups and boardroom executives. I can’t wait to get this technology into the hands of my students. Imagine all the cool things my students will be able to come up with and share with the world when they learn how. The best part about it, is that it will give them a voice in society (to a certain extent) and I believe this will be empowering for them.

I was inspired by the podcast projects developed teachers and shared on Web 2.0. One teacher is using podcasts to develop the global awareness of her ten year old students living in United States. Her students will be developing a podcast called “Global Explorers” and they will be connecting with students in Bucaramanga, Columbia so as to explore the life of ten year olds that live in another part of the world. What a fun project! Another teacher had her children write scripts and share their thoughts on the science fiction books they had recently been reading. These kids are pretty much acting as reviewers of art- very cool. The best part about it is how enthusiastic they were about the assignment- they were learning but having lots of fun too.