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.