Podcasting

This post is actually written by Trellis Buckles for Team 1

Podcasting, one of the many exploding Web 2.0 tools of the 21st century, has changed the dynamics of how libraries service patrons. Podcasting is defined as an audio file up loaded onto the Internet for listeners. Even though podcasting is booming in many educational arenas, it is not a technology tool utilized within my school. During the first podcast assignment, I sought the assistance of several colleagues on helping me with understanding of how to create one; however, to my surprise no one had prior knowledge of podcasting. I will go as far to say not many know what podcasting is. As leaders within the school structure, the media specialist’s role in providing instructional assistance to stakeholders is vital to the student’s academic success in a digital society. For all new to podcasting, Kretz’s article “Podcasting In Libraries” is an excellent read for insight on the history of podcasting and various usage. According to the author, podcasting is not new to the scene however it presents a newer form of delivering audio information. Now that I have read extensive literature of podcasting, perfecting one sounds simple. To syndicate a podcast, an audio file is uploaded to the web and uploaded into a RSS feed language; thereby, a podcatcher downloads it into the audio file. As I recently read in an assignment “what should be common sense is not common sense to all.” The irony of RSS “Really Simple Syndication” is that “It Really Is A Simple Audio Show” when demonstrated properly how to create one. Educators and students are more likely to embrace podcasting if shown how it will enhance learning and how to create one by keeping it really simple at first. If primary students in lower grades can podcasts surely middle and high school students can incorporate it into their academics. Students at Willowdale Elementary School with the assistance of instructional leaders created podcasts on various assignments and had them published to the school’s website “WillowWeb.” How inspiring! There are numerous ways to utilize podcasts in engaging student learning. Through podcasting, Nancy Keane presents an inside glimpse of books via booktalk. The books appear to be exciting and good reading at least after listening to Keane. What a great way to engage students in reading for fun, as well as, enticing students to learn with fun. Learning can be fun! A new wave in the digital learning environment is bring your own technology. Librarians, educators, and students are being ushered into a new era of information delivery explosion. It is time for everyone to catch the wave. With all the new educational mandates teachers must adhere to, school media specialists are vital to the instructional goal of assisting students in surpassing academic endeavors that we all must meet. Even though media specialists wear many hats in the instructional community, assisting stakeholders in embracing technology tools in a digital driven society more often must be led by the librarian. Just as teaching is an art so is delivering information to patron with understand an art. Podcasting will only advance to another dimension; thus, we must all spread the news to catch the wave or be wash ashore and left behind. Teach the teachers to teach the students to podcasts by showing learning can be fun.