Podcasting, Mobile Media and Mobile Learning

Mobile Media is a fluid environment through which information is conveyed and learning is accomplished.  Mobile Media can include many devices such as cellphones, e-readers, laptops, netbooks and ipods.  Most students have one of these devices, if not more than one.

How do we learn today?  Here is a good example of how many of us learn:



If we're asking students questions that they can answer by searching Google, are we asking the right questions?

What is a podcast?  It is mostly an audio blog and can also handle video and pdf files.  Podcast ready media is a file that can be made into a podcast but an RSS is a podcast you can subscribe to.
The first thing you need is a host/server, then you publish your RSS feed, then the subscriber listens to it from the server.

Here are some excellent podcasts to follow:

Always On - Katie Morrow and Michelle Bourgeouis
Professional Practice of 1-to-1 schools
http://web.mexom/alwayson

Tech Chick Tips - Anna Adam and Helen Mowers
Professional Practice






When working with ipods create playlists according to theme, interest, current events, location, subject areas, create smart playlists by using student names to organize student work.  When using apps, organize by pages and folders.

ItunesU has tons of free content provided by Universities as well as K-12 organizations.

WGBH
Edutopia
Lawrence Hall of Science
Many states have started putting their students content online. 
teachers.tv professional development resource
State of Maine

Here are some resources to find out more about podcasting or using ipods in the classroom:
Appolicious is a social network for apps for iphone and other smart phones
IEAR.org is a network for apps
iPads for Education
podcastingforbeginners.wikispaces.com

Podcasting and Podcatching for the Absolute Beginner

Are you a complete novice at podcasting and podcatching like I am? Then this session was for you!

What is podcasting? It is a series of syndicated media delivered over the Internet. There are several episodes put together that people can subscribe to. Podcasting came about around 2004, we wanted our media at a time that was convenient for us not just the time it was on. Podcasting is unique because it is subscribable. It comes to you! The RSS feed is what makes it happen.

How are podcasts related to blogs? There are many blogs that support podcasting: Blogger, Class Blogmeister, Edublogs, WordPress. Show notes support podcasts by providing links that were discussed during the show.

Podcatchers are what support the podcasts. The most popular one is iTunes. iTunes U is a great supplemental curriculum piece where you an find things such as:
In the Power Search on iTunes you can put the names of several search terms to find what you need.

Podcasting can be used in our own learning and professional development, but it is a powerful student tool. 20% of the time should be production, 80% of the time should be learning. Uses in student learning: virtual field trips, career talks, study guides, vocabulary word of the day, spelling words, roundtable discussion in class, sports commentary, student almanacs, sound seeing tours and book talks.

Podcasting truly supports higher level thinking. Collaboration and creation empowers them to share their voice with the world and get real world feedback. Great podcasts don't live at the bottom level of Bloom's Taxonomy. It is also a great way to assess student work for understanding of content.

Examples of what kid podcast consumers are listening to: Smithsonian Kids, National Geographic Kids, Dragonfly TV, Webkinz Webcast, Super Why! Lucy Grey shared these podcasts that her kids listen to with a Belkin Multi-headphone splitter. Five headphones can listen to a podcast at the same time. Imagine the educational implications?

Libsyn, Bluehost, Dreamhost, your school server, iweb, GoDaddy, Podbean or Podpress are all great services to host your podcasts.

I know that podcasting is one of those things that I have barely dabbled in and would like to learn more about. The Apple Distinguished Educators that ran this session have developed a great wiki to go to for all of their resources. I can't wait to dive in!
http://podcastingforbeginners.wikispaces.com/