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| Written by Alice Knotts | |
| Wednesday, 03 March 2010 | |
| A podcast is a downloadable media (audio or visual) file that may be easily accessed, usually through an automated [RSS] feed, by any computer with compatible software. Although the name suggests otherwise, users do not need an iPod to upload, download, or access podcasts. Seeing podcasting as an opportunity to incorporate technology into the classroom as a teaching tool, the Pioneer Middle School GEAR UP program sent two of Pioneer’s exceptional teachers, Chris Plucker and Dan Calzaretta, to attend a day long seminar on podcasting taught by TechReach in partnership with WSU GEAR UP. Mr. Plucker is excited to put his training to use. He has already ordered a digital voice recorder and microphone, and is planning to use podcasting to record his humanity class lectures. After each recorded lesson he will upload the digital file to Audacity, a free audio editing software program, and spice up the lecture for the kids. His students can then access his lectures if they have been absent, or they can use them to review and study for his tests. Mr. Calzaretta has already started using the curriculum he received at the podcasting seminar. His students hope to have their first class podcast done by the end of March. They have a lot of ideas for their podcasting projects; some of their ideas include weekly classroom updates, reviews of video games and music, and "welcome to our school" podcasts for new students at Pioneer. The actual productions of the podcasts will take a while to complete. Both teachers are still waiting to receive their media equipment, and it will take some time for the students to learn how to use the software. Calzaretta and Plucker have long term goals for podcasting as well. Eventually they’d like to begin teaching other teachers how to use podcasting in their classrooms and in communication with each other. They’d also like to set up a bi-school cooperative with Edison Elementary School that would allow the middle school students at Pioneer to share podcasts with Edison’s elementary students. GEAR UP Site Director Marika Tomkins is looking forward to seeing how the teachers utilize their training. “These are two energetic and dedicated GEAR UP partnership teachers," she said of Mr. Plucker and Mr. Calzaretta. "They have the talent; we gave them a venue.” | |
| Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 April 2010 ) |
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