THE POTENTIAL AND POSSIBILITY OF PODCASTING! Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages – March 5, 2010 Anne Hlas & Jessica Miller University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
What is podcasting?
Defining podcasting iPod + broadcast = podcast Audio or video files available online Episodes released regularly Subscription possible through RSS feeds
Types of audio podcasts Scripted (eg: an original or existing text) Cinderella with scriptscript Unscripted (eg: conversation, interview) Interview of a local figure
Types of video podcasts (1) Straight from camcorder (eg: a play, a demo) Goldilocks Edited video (like a TV show) Description of a kiwi farmer
Types of video podcasts (2) Animation (for the artistic ones!) Fable: le corbeau et le renard Storyboard (eg: pictures that match a story) Christmas at school
Silent podcasts Newsletters Newsletters Pictures Pictures
Why use podcasting? To manipulate the language in authentic contexts To focus on intelligibility To expose students to a real-world audience To encourage self-monitoring To tighten bonds within the class To use varied learning skills To try something innovative and fun!
Benefits of podcasting in general Reach students outside of the classroom (lectures-on- the-go) Stay in touch with alumni and the community Address different learning styles Builds upon already popular student activity
Benefits specific to SLA Increase input and output of target language Interactive and engaging formats Crisp sound quality Self-paced control May easily incorporate the 5 Cs
Listening to podcasts Podcasts created for non-natives Podcasts created for natives Wide variety of cultural topics
Most downloaded podcasts (for a native audience)
Most downloaded podcasts (for a non-native audience)
Some of our favorites--Spanish WebsiteTopics Notes in Spanish Pop culture, current events Cody’s Cuentos Children’s stories UW Madison-Spanish l Listen and Draw, Cultural news and interviews Caltech Video podcast about the Universe-Spanish ues/index.shtml Pictures and text about different facets of the hidden universe. (NASA)
Some of our favorites--French WebsiteTopics Radio France Internationale Current events, society Learn French by podcast Vocabulary, current events Learning French Culture, society French today – Learn with audio Grammar, tales, novels, poems
Planning a student-created project Set your goals and objectives Plan for the technology Establish student groupings, themes, and number of episodes Let students create a practice podcast
How to podcast: the basics Audacity Microphones Headphones A server to store audio files Odeo Hipcast School server
Audacity tutorial Download Audacity for free at
Podcasting in a French class 300-level university course Conversation and composition class on cinema Weekly audio critique posted on website Included in larger portfolio projectportfolio project
Benefits Watching movies with a goal Transitioning from writing to speaking Regular assessment of speaking skills Audio memento of a semester’s work Serve the community
Podcasting in a Spanish class 300-level university conversation course In pairs, students were required to: One theme 3 podcasts (introduction, top 10, debate) Speak spontaneously Prior to creating podcasts, listened to examples
Assessing the podcasts Self-evaluation Peer-evaluation
Benefits Self-evaluation Awareness, noticing, and reflection Reduced anxiety Negotiation of meaning
Infinite possibilities Reviewing movies, books, articles, etc. Debating, expressing opinions Explaining content Songs with gestures Describe and draw Interviewing locals Creating a story
What kind of podcast would you integrate in your courses? What about you?
Material available at: Gracias Merci Thank you