Digital Tools Group 2 - Audio and Podcast Analysis

Listen to podcast! - Audio Analysis of Podcasts in Learning
My Podomatic Link (to my podcast profile) - http://nikkileerose.podomatic.com/
or read the following analysis, which ever learning style you suit best!

Wow! Is what I have to say about podcasts. I have always known what they were, but never really looked into them as such. It wasn't necessary for me to when I was at school, but I strongly believe that Podcasts would be a great asset to any classroom. The following analysis will explain why.

After viewing a number of podcasts, vodcasts and audio presentations, I was very amazed and intrigued as to what it can behold in learning. As Curtis J. Bonk explains, this generation is the 'time to be' in education, as new innovations hold enormous possibilities (Townsend, 2011). This podcast explains the relevance of technologies in learning, not specifically audio and podcasts, so I went on further to research information.

An exceptional podcast I listed to was called Project Based Learning. The woman in this podcast describes very detailed and efficient information that I really appealed to. She was explaining the engagement of children in learning, and having the ability to direct their own knowledge and work. Whether it be individually, or collaboratively constructing the knowledge. She states by using authentic tools such as technology, could ehibit growth in the flexible curriculum based learning. Teachers are looked at as fascilitators or 'coaches' as they assist children in the constructive learning context through e-Learning. (Techknow 2010)

Having listened to this podcast, it definately opened me up to the valuables of incorporating audio, podcasts and vodcasts into any learning. By offering audio into any learning, this gives the learner a valued option as to how they wish to learn (by watching), or present their information (by publishing).

In listening to these podcasts, it has opened me up into the creativeness and learning that can inhabit in audio proficient learning. There is however, a difference between audio and podcasts. Podcasts are subscribable and have the advantage of recieving encouraging feedback from your subscribers. This would be a positive to any learner, as we all feel the need to recieve acknowledgement for our work. In a learning environment, I feel that podcasts would be an exceptional learning tool, as students are able to receive knowledge and content in a different form; being able to pause the podcast is ideal, as you can rewind and reflect as many times as you like. Learners are also able to give information and learnt knowledge in a different form. As 'Podcasting in Education' (2010) states, audio and podcasts could be used for reporting, interviews, poems, songs/rhymes, music creation, news broadcasts, radio, audio tours, communicating with parents and families plus unlimited usages!

Most podcasts are free and some have very factual information that can be used. As for learners publishing podcasts themselves, it is exceptional for learners that have the learning style in which they need to explain or communicate to their 'point' across, the interpersonal learner, as Gardner (1989) may say. Some of us know what it is like when we can't put it on paper, what we are wanting to explain! It also important to state the importance of the legal and ethical issues to all learners using any eLearning tool. Learners need to understand that all information they discover, someone has researched very hard for, therefore, should always be recognised and referenced correctly. Also, they need to learn to protect their own privacy, by ensuring they have 'locks' of passwords anywhere necessary, and not giving out irrelevant personal information. This is a big part of any eLearning learner in any industry.

In conclusion, the impact of audio and podcasts in my learning environment would be effecient as I will definately encourage this form of e-Learning pedagogically. Audio and Podcasts in my learning classroom would link directly to my Bloom's Constructivist Engagement (BCE) Learning Design Framework that I have created in my previous post; as children are processing their higher order thinking abilities by using an engaging, constructivist method of learning. With having audio and podcasts in my learning environment, I would definately incorporate these into student assessments, as to facilitate learning for all learners, we have to be open minded and let students be their best, and the most effecient way to do this, is by acknowledging these learning areas, and have options for our students. However, podcasts and audio may be a disadvantage for unconfident students and visual/spatial learners. This is where digital images would be useful in the classroom. Many things can be done through audio, and will continue to improve for the future. What will be next? Is my big question.


References:
Townsend, M. (2011) Curtis J. Bonk 'The World is Open, How Technology is Revolutionising Education. Podomatic.com [Audio File] Retrieved on March 23, 2011 from http://mitcheltownsend.podomatic.com/player/web

Techknow. (2010) Components of Project Based Learning. Podomatic.com [Audio File] Retrieved on March 23, 2011 from http://techknow.podomatic.com

Mayer, C. (2010) Podcasting in Education. WikiSpaces. Retrieved on March 23, 2011 from http://podcasting-in-education.wikispaces.com/

Gardner, H. (1989) Multiple Intelligences in Education. Infed.com. Retrieved on March 24, 2011 from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm