The World of Podcast

WOW! Podcast looks like an exciting way to make good use of digital audio recording. I'm a musician, arranger, composer, and I have used Finale, Cakewalk, Cubase, Home Studio and other audio digital recording programs and equipment down through the years. Podcasting is the most inexpensive way of getting your creations and material published. This is a great tool to use in the class room to motivate your class to want to learn. I was just talking to my students today about uploading music to our class room SCORE site and them downloading our concert songs to their IPODS so they can practice at home. Chapter 8 in Richardson's book, "Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, made mention of several ideas of using Podcasts in music. You can even do a music crtic show. The possibilites are enormous whether in a music class or other classes. Podcasts really have stepped up the Read/Write Web process.

Digital Video

Digital Video is great. Using it with the flip camera and Windows Movie Maker allows you to edit on the computer. You can cut frames, rearrange frames,sync and mix in music. I have used Pinnacle in the pass. However the flip phones are much easier to use. I have used my DV camcorder to do somethings in the past. This is a great tool to use we my students when we work on my last unit on The National Anthem an even doing commentaries. It seems like the schools are really getting into using them recently. Even the students can use them with ease.

Wiki and Blogs

I'm thinking about using blogs with my class to discuss the importance of the national anthem. I want my students to really get an understanding of why it is important to know "The Star Spangled Banner"; what it stands for; and why every american needs to know it. I may use it as a part of my next practium unit.

Wikis

Wikis are a great writing/reading tool that can be used to communicate share information between teachers and students alike. Wikis can be edited. When you work with Wikis be prepared to lose your ownership of you thoughts. Wikis have the best price to use (FREE!)

Blogging is great way to get answers to questions that we are having problems with. It is a super collaborating tool with people that have similar interest. It's like the old saying, "Been there done that."

What do blogs do?

Blogs create a system of expression of ideas through writing. They enable one to express and share a viewpoint on any given subject, issue, etc. Blogs enables people with similar interests to share their thoughts. Since blogs are created on the Web, it's like creating one's one website. The possibilities are enormous. Weblogs promote the following: a constructivist tool for learning; expansion of the normal walls of a classroom; enable one to archive the learning of teachers and students; supports different learning styles; encourages enhanced development in a particular subject; teaches students new literacy opportunities they will need to function in this ever so changing information world. Weblogs for students increase the writing and reading skills without students realizing it.

Blogging is a great communication tool, but do understand it is in a public format and must be used with a degree of professionalism and safety. Choose language that is appropriate for your blogging audience. Remember, once your name is on a blog it is made public. If students are blogging be sure not to share a vast amount of personal information.