My 10th Review: Podcasting in Instruction: Moving Beyond the Obvious 12/9/10

Summary

Ruth Reynard’s article Podcasting in Instruction: Moving Beyond the Obvious explores the theme of technology integration into the classroom setting using podcasting.  As the use of podcasting continues to grow, teachers are encouraged to adapt and create new opportunities for students to integrate technology, presentation of ideas and community review into school projects.  Reynard proposes that using podcasting technology in innovative ways has the potential to promote networking and collaboration in a way that makes learning “more profound and legitimate” (Reynard, ¶5).  Some ideas of podcasting integration proposed were students logging trips, building presentations and presenting new ideas.  Having completed these podcasts, students are then able to gather community input and reflection of ideas or concepts proposed, while gaining a sense of legitimacy and collaboration (Reynard, ¶12).  And as with most technology, the concepts of integration and continued use seem to be challenges posed to the teachers as methods of communication and collaboration expand.  “Podcasting presents itself as having great potential for educators addressing these challenges” (Reynard, ¶15).

Reaction

 While reading Reynard’s Podcasting in Instruction: Moving Beyond the Obvious, I had to think about how this technology might be used in an art classroom.  Demonstrating techniques, art tours and discoveries in the field of art might be one way that podcasting could be incorporated, especially as an accommodation for students that have already completed main assignments.  I worried about the assumption that all students would have IPods, but clearly funding and accessibility would be addressed if this type of project was proposed.  In thinking about the legitimacy of podcasts (Reynard, ¶13) I also worried that posting a podcast to the web might have younger students assuming that legitimacy had been established instead of merely proposed.  Overall, I liked the article and was inspired to consider podcasts in a new light regarding the introduction of art and techniques through various visual and auditory means.  This technology can be seen in most art museums around the country, with the use of digital narrators that viewers can use to find more detailed information about exhibited pieces.  Students could use a similar method to present research about chosen specific art pieces to their classmates.

Source

Reynard, R. (2005, January 11) Podcasting in Instruction: Moving Beyond the Obvious

                Retrieved from http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/38786

Labels: Podcasts