Podcasts in the Classroom

From a journalism standpoint, podcasting is the best idea I've come across this semester.  This is right up my alley.  Although I have limited experience using recording software like Audacity, because my past experience is focused on the newsprint aspect of journalism, podcasting brings a whole new dimension to the journalism classroom.  As Will Richardson presents in our textbook, podcasts are a form of amateur radio, and in a high school multimedia class, what better tool to incorporate when introducing a unit on radio broadcasting.  Students not only have the opportunity to be more hands on with their work, but they also get a glimpse of what the multimedia publishing life is like.
  
One of the topics covered during lessons on broadcast radio is the importance of advertisements.  Advertisements play an integral role in the world of radio.  Like magazines, most of the revenue generated by broadcast companies comes from the ads that are played on the air.  A particular element that is often stressed upon is the time limit of these ads.  A great way to get students to be creative with an assignment is by using the components of a podcast to create a 60 to 90 second advertisement that could potentially be played on the radio.  Students can use background music with their dialogue, record a jingle they create or use a combination of different effects to produce a well rounded commercial.  Even though podcast usually deal with more than a few seconds of dialogue, a lesson like this is better than having students turn in a piece of paper with written radio advertisements.

Another focus of broadcast radio in a multimedia class is the impact made by Orson Welles and his 1938 radio drama adaptation of the novel The War of the Worlds.  His 60-minute broadcast of the story caused many listeners to panic because they actually believed an alien invasion was occurring.  Even if we live in a time where radio dramas are no longer produced, students can still apply elements of the past into their work.  They can use 21st century tools to gain insight to what the world was like before television and cinema.  By placing students in groups to create a podcast centered on a fictional story, they can learn the importance of language, the power of words and the fun of imagination.      

Students on the staff of the high school newspaper can also use podcast with their work.  Depending on how often the school paper is published, section editors can meet around the time of distribution and record a news roundup podcast that can be posted onto the school's website.  Not only are students gaining experience using a different multimedia tool, but this also allows parents and the surrounding community to be up to date with recent news and events surrounding the school.  In addition, students writing for the sports section can cover high school athletic events by podcasting and posting to the school's website as well.  This way parents who are unable to attend their child's game at least have an opportunity to listen to the game later.  Perhaps even university recruiters who have an interest on a certain athlete may come across the podcast and determine if a trip to see them play is really worthwhile.

By incorporating podcasts into the classroom, we are providing students with the ability to create and contribute ideas, something that I think should always be used to their advantage.