P’s in a Podcast Producing a Powerful Elementary Podcast (without Panicking!)

What Is a Podcast? It’s like a radio show that you subscribe to. It’s audio content regularly delivered to your iPod, MP3 player or computer through the Web. >

Three Types of Podcasts 1.Audio podcasts (most common) 2. Enhanced podcasts (images that go with the audio) 3. Video podcasts (movies)

P’s in a Podcast: Why Is Podcasting Powerful?

Podcasting Is Powerful Because It Makes Learning Fun! Your school radio show – kids are intrigued by the microphone. Great way for many talents to emerge (differentiation) because kids record created content, and use writing, editing, production, presentation, and group-work skills.

Podcasts Are Powerful Because They Are Simple to Create To create your podcast content…first think as you do about a lesson: what content needs to be communicated/learned? what structure will you use? how will you group children? how long each segment will be? Then create and edit content with students. Then practice and record. Then finish production and post to the web.

Podcasts Are Powerful Because They Are Simple to Produce To produce podcasts… --I bought a book and a microphone, --found copyright-free music, and --downloaded Audacity (freeware). Then we created content. Then we put it all on our district website.

Podcasting Elementary Do’s & Don’ts Look for curriculum connections & links to standards. Don’t feel pressured to do so many your first year – consider quality vs. quantity. Engage students in the process, but set parameters (controlled chaos). Don’t seek perfection.

Podcasting Elementary Do’s & Don’ts Start with what you know and build on it.

One of the first podcasts by elementary students: Radio For Kids, By Kids Podcast by students in grades K-5 in Omaha, Nebraska all about things they learn in school.

Examples of “what you know” to build on You may be most comfortable with: – formulating a podcast framework (like creating a lesson) – creating scripts (helping students write) – selecting and inserting music – the technology: editing your mix, publishing, etc.

More Podcasting Do’s & Don’ts Podcast your passion! Your enthusiasm is contagious. Don’t panic about production. As long as you save your work it will be okay. Make learning fun…with podcasting.

Food for Thought: Types of Podcasts How-to/Explanation of issue or topic Tour/who we are Local connections Interviews Book reviews Special Projects (visiting authors. etc.) Poetry (confirm permission) Read out-of-copyright books Share research project results

Food for Thought: Types of Podcasts Let’s brainstorm…

Food for Thought: Types of Podcasts How-to/Explanation of issue or topic Tour/who we are Local connections Interviews Book reviews Special Projects (visiting authors. etc.) Poetry (confirm permission) Read out-of-copyright books Share research project results

What Type of Podcast Works for Your School Library? and What Is Your Target Number/Year? Remember to podcast your passion. Start with what you know and build on it. Consider one area/type at first.

Podcast Rubric Might Include: Introduction Content Delivery Interview Graphic & Music Enhancements Technical Production Group/Partner Work

Podcast Rubric Sample Portion CATEGORYExemplaryProficientPartially Proficient Incomplete INTRO. 9 points6 points3 points0 points Catchy and clever introduction. Provides relevant information and establishes a clear purpose engaging the listener immediately. Describes the topic and engages the audience as the introduction proceeds. Somewhat engaging (covers well- known topic), and provides a vague purpose. Irrelevant or inappropriate topic that minimally engages listener. Does not include an introduction or the purpose is vague and unclear.

Podcast Rubric Sample Portion CONTENT 9 points6 points3 points0 points Keeps focus on the topic. Stays on the topic. Occasionally strays from the topic. Does not stay on topic. Vocabulary enhances content. Vocabulary is appropriate. Vocabulary is adequate. Vocabulary is inappropriate for the audience.

Podcast Rubric Sample Portion GROUP/ PARTNER WORK 6 points4 points2 points0 points Performed all duties of assigned team role and contributed knowledge, opinions, and skills to share with the team. Always did the assigned work. Performed nearly all duties of assigned team role and contributed knowledge, opinions, and skills to share with the team. Completed most of the assigned work. Performed a few duties of assigned team role and contributed a small amount of knowledge, opinions, and skills to share with the team. Completed some of the assigned work. Did not perform any duties of assigned team role and did not contribute knowledge, opinions or skills to share with the team. Relied on others to do the work.

The Technology Consult with the technology department in your district. Enlist their help from day one. Discuss how RSS feeds work on your district website. Confirm that your feed is working by asking family/friends to subscribe.

More On Technology Audacity software is intuitive and free. Your skills grow exponentially with use. Garageband is best for Mac users. Be aware of copyright! Obtain rights before using content. Aim for sound level consistency (adjust settings, pay attention to mike distance, etc.)

A Word on Music Be mindful of copyright! Try to marry the tone with your topic. Have fun with this part of podcasting!

RESOURCES Baratta, Donna. "Podcasting in Education." [Podcast entry] MEMS GlobalCast. 07 May Mildred E. Strang Middle School, Yorktown Heights, NY. 21 Oct 2008 < in_Education.html>. Braun, Linda W. Listen Up! Podcasting for Schools and Libraries. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., Canini, Patricia. "Choosing the Right Book." [Podcast entry] L-T Book Buzz Podcast. 05 September Lincoln-Titus Elementary School, Crompond, NY. 21 Oct 2008 < District/Lakeland_Central_School_District.html>. Copyright-free music sites: Morris, Tee, and Evo Terra. Podcasting for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2006.