Podcasting
Podcasts can be a valuable tool in all classrooms of all ages; I feel as though I can find them useful in my gifted resource classroom as well. The population of podcasts in education is growing rapidly, as this type of tool is becoming one of the popular in which to use. Educators have noted the vast accessibility to podcasts throughout the entire world, which helps connect people from a multitude of backgrounds and diversities. “Educators say that the biggest different is that podcasts are available to a worldwide audience. Anyone anywhere can subscribe to them and have them automatically downloaded to their computers when a new installment is uploaded” (Solomon and Schrum, 2014, p. 78). When students are exposed to different cultures through podcasts, they innately form a respect and curiosity for diversity; as a result, student learning of differences among people worldwide is developed.
Diverse learning needs can seamlessly be met through podcasts in education. Not only could students listen to directions stated in a different ways, they could also listen to the directions to an assignment or assessment as many times as needed; listening to podcasts through headphones privately for these students could increase confidence (so students don’t have to ask for repetition of directions out loud) and minimize interruptions for others working in the class. Sometimes students learn information on a deeper level when teaching others; students creating podcasts could promote this type of learning and promote critical-thinking skills when focusing on different delivery methods used to teach others about a topic.
Throughout my exploration of podcasts, I visited several different ones. Learn out Loud seemed to have a good concept, but it didn’t have a lot of podcasts from which to choose. I also liked Voice Thread, which is where I created Podcasts 101. Voice Thread was easy to use, and I think kids can access and use it as well as create easily.
Overall, podcasts can truly be utilized as a valuable tool in the classroom. Students can learn information through them, listen again to retain or refresh their knowledge of a topic or skill, and teach others through the creation of their own podcasts or vodcasts. Solomon and Schrum (2014) illustrate the impact podcasts can have by stating, “The possibilities are truly endless in society these days; many people, including ourselves, pursue their interests and entertainment through podcasts on a daily basis” (p. 77).
Visual Tools
Visual tools are some of the most powerful tools I use in my classroom. I have used them in many ways, but I have found they can definitely reflect personal style and the personality of individual students through differentiated activities. Hobgood and Ormsby support the use of tools for differentiation by stating, “Student demonstrations of learning reflect who they are as individuals, who they are as creators, and who they are as learners. Differentiating by product means offering options for how students will express understanding of the target learning goals and objectives” (2011).
Flickr is a tool I have used in my classroom and will continue to use. Two other visual tools that I’ve recently explored include Stripgenerator and Voki. I have used Voki before; however, I haven’t used it in my classroom with my students. I think this will be a great tool for students to create their own verbalization to learning that has taken place within a lesson. It could also be used as an informal assessment.
Podcasts can be a valuable tool in all classrooms of all ages; I feel as though I can find them useful in my gifted resource classroom as well. The population of podcasts in education is growing rapidly, as this type of tool is becoming one of the popular in which to use. Educators have noted the vast accessibility to podcasts throughout the entire world, which helps connect people from a multitude of backgrounds and diversities. “Educators say that the biggest different is that podcasts are available to a worldwide audience. Anyone anywhere can subscribe to them and have them automatically downloaded to their computers when a new installment is uploaded” (Solomon and Schrum, 2014, p. 78). When students are exposed to different cultures through podcasts, they innately form a respect and curiosity for diversity; as a result, student learning of differences among people worldwide is developed.
Diverse learning needs can seamlessly be met through podcasts in education. Not only could students listen to directions stated in a different ways, they could also listen to the directions to an assignment or assessment as many times as needed; listening to podcasts through headphones privately for these students could increase confidence (so students don’t have to ask for repetition of directions out loud) and minimize interruptions for others working in the class. Sometimes students learn information on a deeper level when teaching others; students creating podcasts could promote this type of learning and promote critical-thinking skills when focusing on different delivery methods used to teach others about a topic.
Throughout my exploration of podcasts, I visited several different ones. Learn out Loud seemed to have a good concept, but it didn’t have a lot of podcasts from which to choose. I also liked Voice Thread, which is where I created Podcasts 101. Voice Thread was easy to use, and I think kids can access and use it as well as create easily.
Overall, podcasts can truly be utilized as a valuable tool in the classroom. Students can learn information through them, listen again to retain or refresh their knowledge of a topic or skill, and teach others through the creation of their own podcasts or vodcasts. Solomon and Schrum (2014) illustrate the impact podcasts can have by stating, “The possibilities are truly endless in society these days; many people, including ourselves, pursue their interests and entertainment through podcasts on a daily basis” (p. 77).
Visual Tools
Visual tools are some of the most powerful tools I use in my classroom. I have used them in many ways, but I have found they can definitely reflect personal style and the personality of individual students through differentiated activities. Hobgood and Ormsby support the use of tools for differentiation by stating, “Student demonstrations of learning reflect who they are as individuals, who they are as creators, and who they are as learners. Differentiating by product means offering options for how students will express understanding of the target learning goals and objectives” (2011).
Flickr is a tool I have used in my classroom and will continue to use. Two other visual tools that I’ve recently explored include Stripgenerator and Voki. I have used Voki before; however, I haven’t used it in my classroom with my students. I think this will be a great tool for students to create their own verbalization to learning that has taken place within a lesson. It could also be used as an informal assessment.
Tools and Their Benefits
Internet tools are useful in many ways; however, I feel one of the most valuable benefits education can gain from using these tools is the connection to people all over the world. For example, one hashtag added to a photo or post can potentially make hundreds of thousands of connections. As educators, we truly hold the ability to connect a student from one part of the world to a student thousands of miles away; we can also make these connections with fellow educators. When these connections are made, students learn about different cultures and diversities that exist within the world; I have found this especially important for students that I teach who live in a very rural city in Southeast Georgia. My students, who are often bound to dirt roads and Friday night football games, get to explore opportunities and learning they may have never been exposed to otherwise (without exposure to these Internet tools). As these types of connections are made, student understanding of and respect for diversity is synthesized or built upon automatically. Throughout these connections, languages can be learned, research can be gathered, social and self-awareness can be obtained, and exposure can occur; the possibilities are truly endless and promising. With all of these things possible, it’s still important for the teacher to understand his or her role in putting these tools in student hands in order for student learning to take place.
Without the use of Web 2.0 and Internet tools, specifically in the county in which I teach, some students may not become aware of anything other than what surrounds them. It’s essential my students learn about other cultures and gain global awareness through these tools; therefore, they gain knowledge that will help them to become more marketable as employees in the future. Educators can also compare what’s happening in their classrooms to the classrooms of others, which allows growth to take place in professional knowledge and instructional strategies.
Internet tools are useful in many ways; however, I feel one of the most valuable benefits education can gain from using these tools is the connection to people all over the world. For example, one hashtag added to a photo or post can potentially make hundreds of thousands of connections. As educators, we truly hold the ability to connect a student from one part of the world to a student thousands of miles away; we can also make these connections with fellow educators. When these connections are made, students learn about different cultures and diversities that exist within the world; I have found this especially important for students that I teach who live in a very rural city in Southeast Georgia. My students, who are often bound to dirt roads and Friday night football games, get to explore opportunities and learning they may have never been exposed to otherwise (without exposure to these Internet tools). As these types of connections are made, student understanding of and respect for diversity is synthesized or built upon automatically. Throughout these connections, languages can be learned, research can be gathered, social and self-awareness can be obtained, and exposure can occur; the possibilities are truly endless and promising. With all of these things possible, it’s still important for the teacher to understand his or her role in putting these tools in student hands in order for student learning to take place.
Without the use of Web 2.0 and Internet tools, specifically in the county in which I teach, some students may not become aware of anything other than what surrounds them. It’s essential my students learn about other cultures and gain global awareness through these tools; therefore, they gain knowledge that will help them to become more marketable as employees in the future. Educators can also compare what’s happening in their classrooms to the classrooms of others, which allows growth to take place in professional knowledge and instructional strategies.