Using Podcasting & Blogging to Extend Your

Teaching Beyond the Classroom Door

Chris Waugaman (cwaugaman@pgs.k12.va.us)

Stephanie Bishop (sbishop@pgs.k12.va.us)

Why is it important to

have an online presence?

Teachers are using technology to get students more involved and improve learning and retention

beyond the classroom door.

Students learn best with multiple approaches.

Students need time for remediation.

Technology is cool.

What are the most useful tools available for teachers to

extend learning?

Podcasts

Blogs

Discussion Boards

Video

Interactive Web Elements

What is podcasting?

Podcasting is quickly becoming a buzz word among the techie crowd. So what is

podcasting, anyway? Podcasting is online audio content that is delivered via an

RSS feed. Many people liken podcasting to radio on demand. However, in

reality, podcasting gives far more options in terms of content and programming

than radio does. In addition, with Podcasting, listeners can determine the time

and the place, meaning they decide what programming they want to receive and

when they want to listen to it.

Listeners can retain audio archives to listen to at their leisure. While blogs have

turned many bloggers into journalists, podcasting has the potential to turn

podcasters into radio personalities.

What are some things you can record

for your class?

Homework Assignments Lectures Notes Announcements Writing Assignments Projects Speeches Interviews Opinion Essays (This I Believe)

Where can I go to listen to

great podcasts?

http://www.npr.org/

http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/coffee-break-spanish/id201598403

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tedtalks-audio/id160904630

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pti-3-22/id147232181?i=92365693

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id413136944?i=92157984

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/multimedia/podcasts.html

How do I create my own podcast?

Step One - Record your sound digitally

There are many ways to record your sound. You may do it with a

digital tape recorder. You may do it with most computer on board

microphones.

Recording Sound through GarageBand

Tracks

Play/Record Buttons

Sound Effects

Record & Edit your sound

Step Two - Edit your sound

The easiest way to edit your sound is to open your file in a sound

editing program, such as GarageBand or Audacity. Once your file is in

the program you can cut vocal tracks, add tracks, add effects, etc.

Share your podcast

Step Three - Share your podcast

Most sound editing programs have a button at the top that indicates

“share.” This is where you will send your sound file somewhere to be

saved as a Mp3 or WAV file. Most online sites can host either one.

Put your podcast on the web

Step Four - Put your podcast on the web

If your school division has a spot for teacher blogs you can host it

there. Or if you have your own blog you can place it there. Having your

own blog is easy and free in most cases. See notes on

Wordpress.com

How do I start a blog?

Step One - Find an online site for blogging that is user friendly and

free!

Once you have found one that suits you, follow the step by step

procedures to set it up.

wordpress.com

www.blogger.com

www.weebly.com

www.blogspot.com

www.tumblr.com

Setting up a new account

All you need is a username and password and possibly an email account