Podcast Review and Essay

After listening to Episode 105: A conversation with Clarence Fisher, a podcast on Connected Learning, I have several innovative ideas about incorporating technology and learning. The podcast was a casual interview over dinner about what the educator and technology presenter felt about technology in the classroom, web 2.0 tools, and what the next big thing in education will be.
Although Fisher promotes the use of blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other web 2.0 tools in his middle-school curriculum, he encourages teachers to “get past the tools” and “customize the learning experience” (Warlick & Fisher, 2009). Using a variety of web 2.0 tools that appeal to students’ learning styles and interests is the essence of 21st century learning. Fisher explains how he converts his reading assessments to “kid friendly language” and using Google spreadsheets, shares the assessment forms with the students and requires them to evaluate themselves. It allows the students to be part of the teaching process by measuring their skills and setting goals to improve their deficiencies. Simply put, this process “gives them (students) control over that learning experience”(Warlick & Fisher, 2009).
Integration of personally owned devices in school is Fisher’s idea of “the next big thing” in education. I have to agree that the continuity of technology integration in and out of school assists teachers with customizing the experience of education and promotes responsible learning. Students not only take responsibility for their equipment and content, but for how they use their extra-curricular time. By customizing content and the learning experience, students are provided tools that allow them control of their learning experiences. Teachers will achieve the ultimate goal of education: life-long learning.
Podcasts are invaluable tools for life-long learners to improve writing, improve public speaking, and develop responsibility through the “leadership of devising their own education”(Warlick & Fisher, 2009). Today’s digital natives are notorious for toggling multiple electronic devices and have developed a keen ability to multi-task. This evolved learner needs stimulation and an educational venue that capitalizes on learning through all human senses. Listening to podcasts provides educational background music for a multi-tasking learner. It allows a learner to capitalize on down-time. For example, learners can listen to a podcast while walking to work or waiting at the doctor’s office. Students allowed usage of school and other wireless internet accesses to download and share podcast resources are vital in promoting this type of life-long learning.
In the classroom, creating podcasts serve as a motivational tool for students to improve their writing and public speaking. Podcasts cater to the audible learner and a descriptive podcast with the use of prepositional phrases can intrigue all types of learners by painting a picture in the listeners mind. Students who create podcasts learn to write, evaluate, and re-write. They prepare these podcasts and incorporate cleverness and personality with their writing and voice. Posting these projects on the web allows creators to share and followers to listen resulting in increased student self esteem and self-motivation for future learning. Students become responsible for the quality and safety of the content posted on the web and inevitably for their life-long learning.
My library program will use podcasts to host student debates on controversial books, promote student produced stories, and announce events to be shared with local and global communities on the library blog. Podcasts have the capability to improve students’ oral reading fluency and can be used project based learning assessments as well as reading skills assessments. Podcasts have the capability of improving communication and learning and providing a collaborative venue between students, staff, and the library.
References:
Warlick, D., & Fisher, C., (2009, March 31). A conversation with Clarence Fisher. Connected Learning Podcast Episode 105. Podcast retrieved from http://davidwarlick.com/connectlearning/.
Brett, J., (1989). The mitten: A ukrainian folktale. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons