If I were approached by a teacher to collaborate on a podcasting project I would be really excited, even if I did not know that much about podcasting. I think it is our role as media specialists to stay on top of the new technologies and learn how these technologies can be used to enhance classroom instruction. Technologies such as podcasting, blogging, livestreaming, and other web 2.0 technologies are such an important part of our students lives. It is essential that as educators we use these tools, tools that the students are probably already using, to make education more attractive to them. Students today are digital learners and we as media specialist can be the link between the students, teachers and new technologies if we strive to find new ways to incorporate them into the classroom.
In reference to the teacher that wants to incorporate podcasts into the classroom, I would be honest with the teacher and share with him what I already know about podcasting. I would inquire about his level of knowledge on podcasting and see how we might learn from each other. I would want to collaborate with him on what type of project he might want to do in his class and research projects already being done in the classroom that might be similar in nature. Last but least, I would give it the "good old college try". The worst that could happen is that the project would be a flop and the best that could happen is that it would be a huge success. Either way I would learn some valuable skills and information to try next time.
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I agree with you that our job as the media specialist would be to try to help that teacher create a podcast. If I were the media specialist I would try to prepare an information packet and perhaps even plan an in-service for teachers that were interested. I think a great idea would be for the language arts teachers to have podcast projects on a topic or book. The LMS would instruct the teachers how to create a podcast. Once the teachers feel comfortable with it, they could instruct the students or sign them up for instruction in the media center. The students would enjoy creating them, and the teachers would have some great projects!
ReplyDeleteLiz, I love what you have to say about podcasting. I do not know a lot about this type of technology and if I were approached about using it, I would be so afraid to mess up the teacher's project. I think it would be important, however, to learn as much as I could about the subject and work really hard to collaborate with the teacher and help make the project successful. Like you said, the worst it could be is a huge flop. But even then, it would be a great learning experience for me.
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