Podcasts in the Classroom

I really had a good time with podcasting and I am sure students would be just as excited. I feel that podcasting in the classroom would be another tool that could engage students with learning. There is so much that Podcasting can be used for by both the teacher and the students. I would really like to use this in my classroom when I get back into teaching. I could use it to give a sub informtion on the class and for demonstrating activities that the class did during the PE class. It is also another way for the teacher to communicate with parents and school administrators on what skills are being covered.

Even as a parent of three kids, I can see that podcasting would help with academic and recreation. Parents and grandparents could read books to them, teach foreign languages, repeat the alphabet, etc.

Podcasting is the new technology and everyone needs to jump on board!!




education websites in podcasting

http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/sites/sites074.shtml

http://epnweb.org/

http://learninginhand.com/podcasting/


physcial education websites on podcasting


http://recap.ltd.uk/podcasting/sports/index.php

http://www.pelinks4u.org/archives/technology/100106.htm

Schools and Blogs

Since I have been out of teaching for about five years I decided to ask some of my colleagues about if their school systems block blogs and other social networking sites. After doing some research I found out that their school systems do block blogs and social networking for students. But if the teachers need specific sites for classroom projects they can ask for them to be opened upon request. For instance You-Tube has some educational videos that would be appropriate to show a class. The reasoning behind the school's choice to block social networking sites is the fact that they can not control what people write or post to those blogs nor filter just specific educational things posted on the sites.

Internet Safety

I have unknowingly been subjected to a questionable website which I am sure so many others, including students, have experienced. I was looking for some running shoes and thought that I would enter what I assumed would be the URL for Dick's Sporting Goods. Much to my surprise, it definitely was not selling sporting goods. This was not intentional, but does show that you can innocently be sent to sites that you would not normally want to view.

Many users of the Internet assume that every website is ????.com. Internet savvy people have knowingly used that scheme. As and example, www.whitehouse.com is not the official United States White House site.

I do feel that the Internet can be an excellent resource for students, staff, and parents. It is a great way to research topics, take virtual tours, communicate with others, etc. But, students should be informed on Internet safety. Too many students, and even some adults, post personal information that would allow predators to seek the individuals out or lure them out of their normally safe environment.

As a parent, I feel that I should monitor my children when they are at the age to be using the Internet. But, maybe Internet Safety should begin with informing parents about the Internet, social networking, etc.