7477 Podcasting - Lange - Original Blog 1

     While reading through chapter 4 in Courtney, Fontichiaro's article, and listening to the podcasts, I think that podcasts can be used in many different ways in the media center.  They can be quick and simple or elaborate.  Book talks would definitely be one way that media specialists could use their podcasts.  Students could write a simple review for a book after reading and then create a podcast for the school web site.  Students could then go in and explore the book reviews to see what their classmates are reading and why they liked the book.  This would also help teach common core reading standards about understanding literature and identifying the main idea.  Also, the call in and review mentioned on page 39 in Courtney might be a great activity for students to do with their parents for home.  The phone system at our school already runs on Cisco, so we get messages in our email.  Teachers may be able to use this for a homework item instead of completing a reading log every once in awhile.  They could just call the teacher's extension and leave their review to be heard at a certain time. The media specialist could have a schedule of when each class could do a call in and review to her extension and use those to start lessons in the media center.
     Another way that I think podcasts could be used is through a current events podcast that could be posted biweekly or monthly.  This podcast could include events coming up or that have happened at school or in the city, current events of the library, or current events around the world.  These could be posted on the school web site, so that parents can hear what's going on or they could be made in segments so that they could be played over the morning announcements.
    In trying to teach the students about the library, I really like the idea of creating a scavenger hunt that guides students through catalog entries, to book titles using the Dewey Decimal system, and to the answer for the librarian.  I would like to see one that someone has already set up. In keeping with library education, media specialists could also create a welcome to the library podcast that tells the new students all the things you explained to students at the orientation at the beginning of the year.  There could also be "how to" type podcasts on things such as Accelerated Reader, blogging, Destiny, MackinVia, Powtoon, audacity, etc.  This list could go on and on.  New students or students who need a refresher could easily access these when the media specialist isn't available to help. 
     In working with the counselors and the career readiness index items, creating podcasts about careers could be a valuable resource.  Students could listen to podcasts created by parents from the school about their job and what kinds of educational requirements are required for completing their job.  They could also tell students of the joys and pitfalls of various jobs.  Students could listen to these when they have finished something early, or as a part of an assignment.
    Museum typed podcasts would be great for bookfairs or art night at school.  While the parents were waiting for PTA to start, they could play a podcast about how the bookfair, art display, etc are set up and what might be seen or done at the event.  In talking about museums, I especially like the idea about podcasts of local history.  I think it would be an awesome project for students to research their school or local history and create podcasts about different segments of history which would create a timeline.  This would be great to put on the school web site for new comers to get a feel for school and area.
     There are so many ways that podcasts could be used in the media center and in classrooms.  It could be especially helpful for special needs students as Fontichiaro stated.  As with anything, time would be a deciding factor into how podcasts are used in a school.  I know sometimes I have some grand ideas for my classroom that would be great but I never get around to them simply because I run out of time.  I think podcasts could be very useful in a variety of ways.  What do you think??? :)