Podcast

This week's big assignment involved creating a PodCast for classroom use, relevant to subject, grade level, and content material being taught. We were also expected to cite specific standards which might be met through facilitation of the lesson. Additional requirements for this activity included creating and linking to a PodCast script, lesson plan, and lesson materials.

I believe that this process could be an effective tool for live classroom facilitation by a substitute, or for any number of independent or distance learning class components, which students might be involved (including absenteeism or OSS, to minimize potential for falling behind). The context in which I designed my lesson was a Distance Learning class. The content coverage accessible by this method seems limited only to the capacity of students to gather primary information from a recorded audio source. The lack of two-way communication present within this teaching method limits the extent to which content can be covered and reinforced, but this weakness can be effectively adjusted for with use of other technological applications such as IM, Skype, Email, Discussion Boards, etc.

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I used MS Word to create the supporting documents required for this assignment, then uploaded them to GoogleDocs, and published. These documents can be accessed by clicking on the following links:

1. PodCast Script
2. Twilight Poetry Lesson Plan
3. Hand Out I: Poems (Selected Keats & Yeats)
4. Hand Out II: Lesson Questions
5. Assessment Rubric

I created my PodCast by using Audacity freeware. There were some challenges inherent to the process of downloading and using this application, but ultimately - after hours spent nose deep in tutorials - I was able to lay down and format my voice tracks, as well as additional audio components, before saving the audio file, exporting it to my desktop as an MP3, and uploading the finished product to PodBean.com. My PodCast can be accessed with the player tool embeded within this message (by pressing the play symbol), or by clicking here.

TPACK
Today's assignment is relevant to a wide spectrum of content material and methods for course instruction (CK). The ability to turn a lesson into an internet-based PodCast opens many avenues for in class and out of class instruction (P). Of course, this process also teaches, facilitates, maintains, and showcases technological literacy (T), responsibility, effectiveness, and utility for teachers and students alike.

Relation to standards
The development and use of internet-accessible content material relates to several ISTE NETS standards, primarily #1 Facilitate and inspire student creativity and innovation by promoting student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding, thinking, planning, and creative processes; #2: Design and develop digital age learning experiences by designing or adapting relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity; #3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning by communicating relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats; and #4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility, by addressing the diverse needs of all learners, using learner-centered strategies that provide equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.

Integration
As an English Teacher, I will be required to teach English language and literature. The quality of my classroom facilitation and inherent activities rely greatly on my ability to develop and create many of the materials present within this assignment. These factors may be improved with the use of content-related tools such as PodCasts, lesson plans, and rubrics; and by the systematic collection, development, archiving, and retrieving of electronic resources.