Tom Jones
(Manchester - United States)I am a retired high school principal in my 3rd year of post-retirement re-employment teaching high school English.
-
- Contributed By: Judy Scharf
What is a Podcast?
The term “podcast” is a cross between “broadcast” and “iPod.” A podcast is a “radio-style” talk show. It may include music as well. It may be listened to on the computer or an MP3 player, and may be downloaded from iTunes or a podcast hosting service. Podcasting enables information to be shared with millions of people via the internet. It is easy to do, and costs very little. All you need is a microphone, a computer, and software, which can be downloaded for free.
Podcasts can convey information about any subject. Therefore, any teacher can succeed. Students love to do this, and they enjoying sharing what they have learned with others. Give podcasting a try; you may be the inspiration for your students’ successful careers!
Here is a link to YouTube, which shows how to make a podcast using Audacity, a free download:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hrBbczS9I0
Here is a link to another instructional video obtained from TeacherTube
http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=100030
A list of reasons why podcasting is the way to go.
Tips to Succeed
- Make sure you spend enough time learning Audacity (or the software you use) to feel comfortable with it.
- Give students a choice of topics
- Let students pick the people they want to work with
- Have some exemplary podcasts for them to listen to
- Include a list of criteria for research
- Allow plenty of time to complete the project. Everything takes longer than you think it will!
- Invite the principal, department chairperson, or some other person to come in and see the presentations. Students will be very proud of their work.
Time Schedule for Creating a Podcast (17 periods)
A period is 42 minutes
1. Using the handouts, go step-by step helping the students create a practice podcast.
9 periods are devoted to using Audacity
a. Period 1 and 2 - discussing what a podcast is and how it is used. Students will become familiar with the Audacity program, and will record their voice.
b. Period 3 and 4 -students will edit their voice recording. They will record another recording and merge the two together.
c. Period 5-students will learn how to save sounds from the internet. We will briefly discuss copyright laws and public domain. They will learn that they have to ask permission to use sounds that are not public domain or otherwise unrestricted. The school librarian will do this in detail in period
d. Period 6 -students will learn to insert these sounds into their podcast. They will learn to edit the sounds and loop.
e. Period 7-students will get background music for their podcasts
f. Period 8-students will insert and edit this background music in their podcasts. They will convert it to MP3 format.
g. Period 9 - copyright laws with the school librarian
h. Period 10 - citations
i. Periods 11 to 14 - groups creating their own podcasts
j. Periods 15 and 16- presenting to the class
k. Period 17-going over handouts on how to use Podbean and how to upload to iTunes (enrichment)
|
Names:_____________________________________________
Period & Day:______________________________________ |
Suggestions for Podcast Projects
A tour through Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
A tour through Manhasset Middle School
African Safari
Aliens from Mars
Anti-Smoking
Court Case-Potato vs. Watermelon
D-Day
Debate between Airplane and Helicopter
Dinner with the Evil Three
Fido Awards Show
Global Warming
Inside Thom Yorke’s Body
Interview with Mac and PC
Interview with a Gorilla
Interview with Barbie and Ken
Interview with Bella Swan from Twilight
Interview with CatDog
Interview with Chelsey B. Sullenberger
Interview with Claude Monet
Interview with Coheed and Cambria
Interview with Famous Gymnasts
Interview with Girl who dug through Center of the Earth
Interview with Jackie Robinson
Interview with John McCain
Interview with Kleenex
Interview with Michael Phelps
Interview with Mickey and Minnie Mouse
Interview with Mother Nature
Interview with Oprah
Interview with Peanut Butter and Jelly
Interview with Sarah Palin
Interview with Taylor Swift
Interview with the World’s Smartest Person
Newscast about Alien Invasion
The ABC’s
The Case of the Unknown Murder
The Tortoise and the Hare
Time Travel with Abe Lincoln
Tour of the Digestive System
Trip around the World
War on Terror-Special Report
WWII Battle
Name:____________________________ Class:________________________________
Computer Applications 7 Mrs. Scharf Podcast Suggestions for Researching Your Topic
The following categories will give you a good idea of the type of information I’m looking for: People · Real name (if applicable) · Date of birth · Date of death (if applicable) · Education · Family Information · How career got started · When and what awards won, if any Company · What company provides (goods or services) · When it started · How it got started · Who are its leaders · Where its main headquarters are and where branches are · Some statistics for recent sales Animals · Species · Country of origin · Where it lives · What it eats · How it gets along with humans and other animals · Mating habits · Sleeping habits · How many babies it has at a time · How long it lives · Any unusual facts Sports · Country of origin · Rules of the game · Equipment needed · Where it is played · Famous players · Awards you can get for playing sport well Places · Where located (country, continent) · Who it was named after · When it was founded · Climate · Famous places to visit · Things to do · Products it is known for · Religion · Industry · Customs Things · Who invented it · When it was invented · What it does · How it works · Did it change the world? How? · Why is it important? Events · When did (does) it take place? · Where did (does) it take place? · Why did (does) it take place? · Who was (is) involved in the event? · How did (does) it take place? · Why was (is) it important?
A detailed, illustrated handout that gives step-by-step instructions on how to create a podcast using Audacity, a free software download.
A detailed, illustrated handout showing how to upload your podcast to the internet using Podbean, a free podcast hosting service.
A detailed, illustrated handout showing how to upload your podcast to iTunes from Podbean.
Name___________________________________ Class:_________________________
Computer Applications 7 Mrs. Scharf Podcast Extra! Extra! Hear all about it! (100 points)
You have learned to make a podcast, and you have heard some exemplars. Now it’s time to make your own!
You may make a podcast on any topic you choose, provided that it is appropriate for school. Topics must be approved by me. Here are some suggestions:
· Interviews
o with character from book
o influential person from the past or today
· Conversation between two historical characters (i.e. conversation between Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant)
· Tour guide:
o trip through the digestive system
o trip trough solar system
o visit to a foreign country
o join Lewis and Clark on their explorations
· News report
o Event in a book
o Historical event
o Current events
· OM (Outside Manhasset)
You will work in groups of 2 or 3.
Attached is a rubric for the podcast, which will let you know what I expect.
Hand in your script, with citations, stapled to this packet:
95+ = Outstanding 90-94 = Excellent 85-89 = Very Good 80 -84 = Good
75-79 = Above Average 70-74 = Average 65-69 = Fair Below 65 = Failing
Name_______________________________________________________________________ Class_____________________________________________________________________________
Rubric for Podcast Must be exported to MP3!!!!! (100 points)
Criteria |
Peabody Award |
Easy Listening |
Some interference |
Too much static |
|
Story Line (25 points) |
All of the following v Introduction v Beginning, middle, end v 2 or more characters v 5 or more facts about topic |
3 out of the 4 items |
2 out of the 4 items |
0-1 out of the 4 items |
|
Script (20 points) |
All of the following v Title on top v Your names and class period on top, alphabetical order by last name v Spelling and grammar correct v Sounds are written into script |
3 out of the 4 items |
2 out of the 4 items |
0-1 out of the 4 items |
|
Voices/Sound Effects (25 points) |
v Related to story line v At least 3 different sounds v Seamlessly inserted into the show v Rate of 44,100 Hz recommended for sounds v Speak into microphone v Speak clearly v Speak loudly enough
|
6 out of the 7 items |
4-5 out of the 7 items |
0-3 out of the 7 items |
|
Citations (10 points) Wikipedia not allowed |
v All sounds v All newspapers, books, magazines or websites v MLA from Easybib |
2 out of the 3 items |
1 out of the 3 items |
0 out of the 3 items |
|
Presentation (20 points) |
v Eye contact v Explain how topic chosen v Showcase favorite techniques v Q & A v Paying attention to other presentations |
4 out of the 5 items |
3 out of the 5 items |
0-2 out of the 4 items |
Bonus (20 Points): put some soft music in the background
A tour of the digestive system
An African safari
