Podcast-Schmodcast

I really like the idea of podcasting in class because students really get into it and have fun while doing things that are, I think at least, worthwhile.

First my 9th graders did a practice podcast where they had to perform the script for a five-minute radio show I provided. This was a perfect practice run because it's a little more complicated than the other podcasts they'll do, so they got very comfortable with how to work the equipment, and they also had to put in some sound effects, music, and character voices, which they had a lot of fun with. Again, it was just a practice, so I wasn't expecting greatness, but in the future I may use something else as a practice and make this an assignment. They could find a radio show script online and perform it, or write their own. OR BOTH!

The main thing they'll be doing is responding to literature. In small groups they will read short stories and then record their discussion about the story. They'll also do a podcast responding to a play we're going to see at the end of the month. One main thing I like about this is that it gets everyone involved in the discussion. They are only in groups of three, so pretty much everyone has to talk for it to be successful. Nobody can sit in the back corner and skate by.

The other thing I really like about it is time. In the spring we'll do Lit. circles and I was thinking I would have to take four class days and just sit and listen to a group discussion each day. This way, they can record it all at once and I can just listen to them at my leisure.

I am putting the podcasts on iTunes as "Mr. Nelson's English World," though it isn't letting me submit anything on iTunes right now because they're "experiencing technical difficulties." After a quick internet search, I discovered people having this problem every few months for the last four years or so. You'd think they'd be able to fix it, but I digress. I think putting them on iTunes as an "actual" podcast lends a little weight to the project. It's not just me listening, it's anyone. I told my 9th grade boys, "If you sound like a doofus, anyone in the world could hear you sounding like a doofus." They have also told their parents about it, and then reported to me that their parents were excited to be able to hear them online.

This whole process is also my final project for this class, so we'll see how it goes!