PoducateMe: Practical Solutions for Podcasting in Education
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Joined by several students from his class in general psychology, University of
Connecticut professor Dr. David B. Miller podcasts a conversational, Q&A format
discussion of course material presented in each week's lectures.
Harvard grad student David J. Malan produces “Computer Science E-1:
Understanding Computers and the Internet,” a course offered each fall at
Harvard University's Extension School. Each of E-1's lectures is recorded (in
audio and video formats), digitized, and posted on the course's website, where it
remains available for on-demand viewing until term's end. Each show is
synchronized with slideshows of lectures' slides.
The University of Chicago’s Center for International Studies’ “The World Beyond
the Headlines” podcast brings scholars and journalists together to discusss major
international issues and how they are covered in the media.
Art Mobs, a project conducted by Dr. David Gilbert and students from his
Organizational Communication Course at Marymount Manhattan College,
encourages students to create audio tours of art galleries. An audio guide may
present students and a digital media professor taking on the inscrutable forms in
a Jackson Pollock painting, or offer music composed and performed by student
musicians inspired by the art.
Byzantine Rulers,” a podcast you’d think would find a limited audience. However,
Brownworth’s recordings routinely rank in the top five educational podcasts on
iTunes, and in the top 50 of all podcasts in the directory.
Florida’s Winter Park High School Orchestra creates podcasts, including some
with video, to distribute sound clips, news and information about their award-
winning music program.
Not to be outdone by podcasters in high school and college, students in grades
1-5 at Willowdale Elemetary School in Omaha, Nebraska produce “Radio
WillowWeb,” an impressive project recorded by kids and for kids.
Sixth graders at Kennedy Elementary School in Medford, Oregon produce
“DreamExtreme,” in which students discuss classroom news, sports, music,
poetry and other assorted topics.
Clearly, educators have demonstrated some truly creative and compelling applications for
podcasting in the classroom. But these examples represent just a small fraction of the
many successes being reported.
Does Podcasting Affect Class Attendance?
Some educators have voiced concerns about podcasting lectures, theorizing that
students will not bother coming to class if they can readily download course material from
