21st Century learners crave creating their own content, which is why podcasts are an ideal learning tool. Students can own their assignments with podcasts, and be proud of the finished product. The learner can also share creations with others.
In terms of the instructor's use of this tool, teachers can easily narrate a PowerPoint presentation and adapt the format so it is compatible with portable devices like the iPhone. The unique benefit of using podcasts in this way is that learners can access content on the go; students can fill their micro-moments by reviewing the content at their leisure (their is much controversy surrounding the use of technology to fill micro-moments, that they take away important time to rest, but if students fill those moments with educational material what can be the real harm?)
Nonetheless, podcasts have their own pitfalls. Due to the relevance of the digital divide, learners without smartphones are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to accessing content via podcasts. While this is not strictly the case with smartphones, (think iPads, laptops, Internet access at home) it still puts those students with the means at an advantage over their peers.
Montie,
ReplyDeleteGreat points. Although the digital divide is shrinking, it is still something we need to be aware of. Just as schools are sending printed materials home (school calendars and lunch menus) with students without Internet access at home, CDs and inexpensive MP3 players can be sent home to provide access to the digital content. Schools and teachers are doing a better job of finding out who doesn't have access at home while finding ways to accommodate these families and students.
Montie, I think you're getting into the ideas we've been learning about the flipped classroom! Being able to access podcasts from iPhone's or laptops at home, is really what seems to be helping students learn more effectively. I do think that maybe Podcasts are becoming a little bit outdated, and as we see, digital storytelling may be a more exciting and effective way to continue reaching students in a flipped classroom! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteMontie,
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited about using podcasts and digital stories in the classroom, but I have a hard time squaring it with the type of instruction that I had when I was in high school. For instance, I keep coming back to the questions, "How is a 6 minute podcast going to replace a 45 minute lecture and discussion on Cell Theory [your topic here]?" but then, I realize that it is an aide to the discussion, that I might have to work HARDER or MORE CREATIVELY than my teachers did to provide enriching classroom activities to support the podcast.
Though the digital divide is real, and must be addressed, in the Washington Metro area, we are fortunate to be among public school systems that realize the importance of moving forward with technology and are likely to allocate resources to schools and teachers to minimize the divide. Anyway, that's what I have observed in my time at Marymount.