1. Texas State Reading Association
Scaffolding the Language Development of English Language Learners through Podcasting
Texas State Reading Association
Arlington, TX
November 14, 2009
Amie Sarker
Rebekah McPherson

2. WHAT IS PODCASTING? Watch this video
“Podcasts are professional or homemade audio broadcasts that are available on the Internet. You can download from iTunes and play on your computer.”
Apple website
Wes Fryer makes the distinction that a podcast is different than just posting an audio file on the internet, rather a podcast must be “subscribeable” for example through an RSS feed.

3. Podcasting Equipment Equipment that is needed. -Computer: Mac or PC
-Microphone
-Audio software: garageband or audacity
-Headphones

4. Equipment Needed PC or Mac Computer
Software: GarageBand (mac), Audacity (PC)
iTunes
USB microphone
Headphones
Ways to Share the podcast:
CD, online, mp3 player

5. Podcasting Activities in the Classroom:
Storytelling
Poems
Interviews
Making songs
Book Review
Educational Podcasting Websites:
Look at these website quickly during the presentation. A way for students to developing world-wide global citizenship.
(book review)

6. The Four Stages of Planning a Podcast- Tony Vincent
Preproduction
Production
Postproduction
Share

7. Objective: Students will…
GETTING STARTED Step 1.Preproduction-- Portfolio Reflection Lesson Plan
Objective:
Create a podcast that captures your reflections about the DVD end of the year portfolio you produced in this class. Take turns interviewing your partner like you are on a radio show.
Students will…
Practice self-reflection about a classroom project
Work with a partner
Use interviewing skills
Use technology
Have fun!
I should bring some of my student DVD examples just to hold up. This is an actual lesson plan that I did with my students.

8. DVD Reflection Questions
1. What do you think you were supposed to learn while creating your portfolio?
2. What was the most important thing you learned from creating your portfolio?
3. If you were going to do this project over again, what would you do differently?

9. Step 2. Production
Students make recording. They can practice a few times before the final taping. Review Do’s & Don’ts of taping.
The demo of garageband will be after this slide… about 20 mins. Could also show Audacity…
Do’s and Don’ts
Do...
• Enunciate clearly.
• Speak at a normal volume.
• Practice, practice, practice!
• Reduce background noise.
• Pause recording to take short breaks.
• Smile while speaking!
Don’t...
• Talk too quickly.
• Drop off the ends of words.
• Try to sound like a radio D.J.
• Pop p’s into the microphone.
• Get too close to the microphone.
• Touch the microphone or its cord.
Proper audio waveforms

10. Step 3. Postproduction
Edit audio in GarageBand . Students can add music, sound effects, and even pictures.
Podsafe Audio (Teachers can download audio that can be legally used in Podcasts)
Adding Audio Effects
Levelator (corrects audio levels)
Preparing for Upload to iTunes (converting to MP3)

11. Step 4. Share Methods for Uploading to the Internet
#1: School Server & FeedForAll (Use this method if you have access to uploading files to your schoolʼs Web server.)
#2: Podcast Hosting Service
See more detailed instructions here
This is the most complicated part. Requires a website and an RSS Hosting Service.
I used PowerMedia Plus by Discover Education and can send the directions to anyone interested.
See if your district has a membership.

12. I used PowerMedia Plus by Discover Education and can send the directions to anyone interested.

13. Helpful Podcasting Websites
Podcasting in GarageBand (mac)
Directions for Getting Started in GarageBand (mac)
Instructional video using a Mac
Google Search- Podcasting lessons
Show quickly the Instructional video using a Mac.

14. QUESTIONS?

15. Contact Information
Rebekah McPherson Aledo ISD
Amie Sarker Dallas Baptist University
Download a copy of this presentation from

16. Source(s)
Cummins, J. (2001). Language, power and pedagogy: Bilingual children in the crossfire, Toronto: Multilingual Matters.
Gibbons, P. (2002). Scaffolding language, scaffolding learning: Teaching Second Language Learners in the mainstream classroom. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Holtz, S. & Hobson, N. (2007). How to Do Everything with Podcasting. NY: McGraw-Hill
Amie, do we still want the first 2 resources?