Podcasting. The future of learning?

Nikki Nicholson- Parent

Nikki waits patiently until you are ready to interview her, she is busy cleaning up after the afternoon tea.

Nikki, thank you for taking the time to talk to me about Podcasting.  I understand you have been to a seminar on Podcasting and had an opportunity to create a podcast of your own. How did you feel about Podcasting after this experience?

I was delighted to be part of the Podcasting experience. I have spent a lot of time researching about Podcasting but had not had the opportunity to have a go at it until this point. It was definitely even more fun than I had expected. The interesting aspect of Podcasting to me is that it was never intended to be used as an educational tool. The move to mainstream use of this technology, as it has caught on very quickly, has meant it has real possibiltiies as an educational tool.

What are the benefits you see for students, staff and school organisation if White Harbour Intermediate School was to implement Podcasting as a schoolwide initiative?

This kind of social software that allows for online interaction between subscriber and podcaster presents a great opportunity for students to participate actively in their own learning. Of course Podcasting is not the only way, a Wiki or Blog are other forms of technological innovations that are also useful in enhancing student learning, but perhaps they could be used in collaboration with Podcasting at White Harbour Intermediate School. 

When the students work collaboratively to produce a podcast they are developing valuable collaborative skills to complete the project.  Not to mention the storyboarding, idea forming and decision making tasks they must go through to create a product that presents the ideas they need to share. It does not stop at the presentation stage though. Classes or groups can then receive valuable feedback from their audience out in cyberspace. We must appreciate the powerfulness of this feedback in impacting the students learning. Here we have moved past a grade given by a teacher to authentic ideas from a genuine audience about 'where to next'.

Constructivism is evident in podcasting, Joyce Seitzinger in her article- Be Constructive: Blogs, Podcasts and Wikis as Constructivist Learning Tools. lists seven elements that she thinks are key to constructivist learning.  Problem based learning, learner centredness, collaborative learning, social presence, interactivity, support and cognitive tools. It would appear to me that the use of podcasts in the classroom includes all seven of these elements. In this way by introducing Podcasting at White Harbour Intermediate School we would be utilising current pedagogy within our classrooms, benefiting students, teachers and senior management in following schoolwide strategic planning for where we want our school to go in the future.

The potential seems to be endless.

What are the issues you see for students, staff and school organisation if White Harbour Intermediate School was to implement Podcasting as a schoolwide initiative?

Well as with any technological innovation there is a period where the technology is still developing. This is not necessarily a disadvantage for the school but may mean there are some difficulties that still need to be ironed out in the podcasting and podcatching phases, with a little patience these could be overcome. 

I think a real issue is the need for quality support for teachers and administrators so when road blocks are hit they are still able to move forward. There is nothing worse for teachers than having to appear as if a technology is working fine for them and they are utilising it well when in fact they have hit a brick wall and are not sure how to use it next or how best to use it. Strong professional development and ongoing technical assistance will definitely be crucial.

Overall are you for or against the implementation of Podcasting for White Harbour Intermediate School?

I can see definite possibilities so I am for it.