Final Report

Yesterday I interviewed my colleague, Keiryn Hogan, which I was then able to make into a podcast and post to the Meadowbank Outreach Podcasting site. We talked about the students, what worked and what didnt. The podcast sound is low, but I felt it reflected the issues facing teachers attempting to use this technology. Basically it is a great idea, but high computer literacy and technical skills are required for both teacher and learner. However, for those of you who are interested you will need to follow the link to the site. I have been unable to embed the podcast in the blog site.

As reported below the podcast site had crashed, but thankfully I was able to reestablish the site. Earlier on I trialled a podcast activity with students and this was received favourably in fact, considering I had a very difficult bunch of learners it was one of the quietest sessions this year. I discovered handing out headphones and letting students use them, as long as they did the assigned activity, worked wonders.

However, behaviour issues with students overtime prevented me going further at this stage.

Staying in Communication. Working on my own was difficult, I had some contact with the Project Leader, Alex Hayes, which was very helpful. Attempts to access training resulted in a few conversations and self tuition, both frustrating and rewarding. Using the blog, learnscopewikispace a great idea and reporting facility but had no success in using the discussion board (no responses)!
I attended the Leanscope07 Conference which was great and reminded me that you do need like minded people around you.

I am pleased with the progress I made with the aims of the project- it was a struggle - with many facets of life impinging on my time.

As discussed with Keiryn there is a future for podcasting in our outreach programs. We plan to run a short workshop with students who have completed the RadioDJ Program in 2008.

Margaret Westcott

Podomatic Site

Just an update - the meadowbank outreach podcasting site has been reestablished. Podomatic site crashed in October and the site etc became inactive. I discovered what had happened when I attended the ELearning O7 Conference at the beginning of November. Next week I will be putting in an update from the Radio DJ course. I plan to record an interview with my colleague - find out how things went. What were the technical issues? What worked and what didnt. And where do we go from here.

Update

The end of Term 3 is upon us - The Radio/DJ course will finish in October. Recently, students have been using mp3 players to make recordings. Although these recordings are a little 'average' they will be made into podcasts next term. I will be doing this with my colleague Keiryn Hogan, the facilitator of the Radio/DJ Course. Upon successful completion of this part of the program, we will continue to run 1 or 2 sessions with students. Our dream is to involve students and other outreach teachers and staff in these workshops before the end of the year. Time and money permitting.

The feedback even in this embryonic stage is encouraging.

However, On the technical side a few hurdles to go yet. A few issues with accessing sites at TAFE such as I was unable to download a podcast to the mp3 player and to log on to Blogger at TAFE. I will also need time to gain expertise in using Audacity - so on and so forth.

Keep you posted.

A Podcast is Made

I finally sorted through the software and technical issues and hurdles to make a basic podcast, two in fact. The first podcast was a test just to go through the process. The second podcast was made last weekend for use in the classroom. It was a simple podcast to accompany an activity for students, who are taking part in the Connection/Work Skills program. Students logged on via the computer room and were directed to the podcast site to listen to the podcast and then answer the questions. They were also directed to find information at various websites.

The outcomes were really positive, each student was given headphones, so they were able to listen to the podcast (some listened to it several times) completed the task and additional research - and I am sure were also listening to music of their choice - without bugging the teacher! A win win all round.

Some of their comments were: 'Using the podcast was helpful, understood some of the words - helped me out. Sound was ok and would like to use it more. Interested in making one.' 'Would like more work this way'. 'It was easy to access.' 'I could listen to it a couple of times'.

This video was accidentally recorded in the class room last week, my colleague was checking the dj equipment for the radio/dj course, which is now underway. Incidentally, students in this course are working towards recording their interviews and will be making podcasts. I just noticed I can now add videos to blogs. This is fantastic.

Progress

This week's progress - I should call the 'big leap forward'. On Tuesday I attended an 'online' meeting with Alex Hayes, the Project Manager for the NSW LearnScope Teams and Individual Projects. This on its own was a first for me and I gained much knowledge and some enthusiasm for this project. It was agreed that working in isolation is difficult. Now I have been able to create links from my NSW Learnscope Wiki page to this blog and others. I am also in touch with other people, whose projects are similar to mine. I am hoping to make contact in order to gain more technical expertise (the lack of being the biggest barrier) to my work.

However, I am much inspired by my own accomplishments and those of a colleague, who is working on a DJ/Radio School program for youth at risk. We have decided to join forces on this program and record student interviews which we intend to make into podcasts. In order to make any evaluations, you need to have some real life situations happening.

Today I started on recording an interview using the mp3 player and then editing it using Audacity - Apart from the 'frog in the throat' - I thought it was a reasonable effort. However, I now need to take this a step forward. I also started on a digital story and when complete I will turn this into a podcast - I have been told I can do this - need to find out next week how to do it.

Regarding the image - I usually catch up on my 'blog et al' work on a Sunday.

Update

Progress - is slow in the podcasting world. New program and new students have meant a deviation from my original plan.

However some progress has been made: TAFE Outreach CARELINKS program is running several vocational programs this term. One of which is called Radio/DJ Bootcamp. I have arranged with the teacher of this program to record interviews and the aim is for students to make a podcast. Meanwhile, my colleague is familiarising herself with Audacity and the MP3 Player.

I have also spoken to other outreach teachers who are keen to learn more about recording interviews and making podcasts as part of their course.

My own learning is slow due to lack of time but I have put the call out to see if their are any workshops I can get to. The response has been promising - so watch this space.

The Project

I am conducting a small research project into the uses of podcasting as learning and assessment tool. The first step is to become familiar with the technology that goes with making and using podcasts. I intend on informing myself first, seeking comment from other outreach teachers and interested people. The long term goal is to make a podcast and then trial students in using it and then hopefully students will be able to make their own. At the moment it seems a little overwhelming and I dont want to reinvent the wheel, as lots of work has already been completed. My intention is to use this blog as a diary and exercise in learning how to upload, download, music - videos and eventually podcasts.