Podcasting

The rise of podcasting in schools has been a grassroots occurence. Depending on what school you look at, podcasting -- if present at all -- may be introduced by teachers, administrators, students, media specialists, or technology specialists. At Willowdale Elementary in Omaha, Nebraska, the technology specialist Tony Vincent introduced podcasting and has taken upon himself much of the work of spreading the innovation and guiding the quality of the podcasts produced. At Beverly Elementary School in Birmingham, MI, the media specialist Kristin Fontichiaro podcasts (herself) and hosts a Podcasting Club for 4th graders. The podcast is disseminated through a blog. At other schools, no one is podcasting.

So, imagine a teacher approaches you and asks you if you can help him to start up a podcast for his class (something like Radio WilloWeb). In truth, you may know little about podcasting. So, how do you respond to the teacher? Do you tell him farewell and good luck? Do you tell him you don't know much, but you're willing to find out? What is your role? What are the reasons behind how you choose to respond to this teacher?


If I were approached with podcasting for a class, I would get excited. I may not know alot about the subject but I would be thrilled that a teacher in my building wants to use some of the equiptment already available to us. I would explain that we have digital video recorders, a MAC computer with iMovie, and microphones if needed. I would make my role be the person who can teach the teacher how to use the equiptment and be a resource to the teacher and students as they start the process. I wouldn't want to do all the work because as my mentor once said "If you do it for one, you have to have time and ability to do it for all." I would choose to help the teacher because our administration is excited to see technology used in the classroom and enjoys knowing that teachers and specialists are collaborating. I can see the fifth grade teachers at my school using podcasting with the students. It would be a project where they could create book talks for younger kids. We could podcast them or just start by uploading them to the web for parents and students.

The Trickiwikis Get Wiki With It!

Patti, Mike, and Susan--having rejected the moniker "PMS"--have formed the soon-to-be famous group called, "The Trickiwikis."  As you enjoy this blog, prepare to be amazed, astounded, and perhaps shocked at the display of technological prowess and intellectual superiority which you will behold.

This blog provides a forum for the Trickiwikis (don't you just love saying that??) to reflect on topics of discussion for the class, "Technology for Media Services," as part of our graduate studies through the University of West Georgia.

Thanks for visiting!  Y'all come back now, ya hear? :)