Podcast

     This week was a rough week for me teaching.  I lost my voice for two days.  When I did have my voice it wasn't normal.  Congestion from sinus and allergies made it difficult for me to talk.  At one point I found a screencast to teach fact families to students.  Well, this week I tried a few websites that allow you to do podcasts.  I thought to myself it would be a great idea to go ahead and record the selection of the week for my reading lesson.  Something different every so often can capture student's attention.

     The first podcast I tried was SoundCloud.  It was easy to sign up.  I just simply used my google account information.  It was easy to navigate.  I found the upload button.  It gave me the choice to upload a file or began recording.  I chose to start start recording right away.  I figured it would be best to start with partner engagement activity.  It was easy to record, add a title and information, and then save the recording.  I figure that students can use this like an audio book. We have computers in the classroom, but the new ones will not read the cds with the story selections.  Students can follow along a listen to the story while at the computer.  The only thing that I didn't like about sound cloud was that I could not pause and continue with the recording.

https://soundcloud.com/jennifer-adams-560091007/a-big-fish-for-max




   I then tried PodOmatic.  To sign up for PodOmatic I could use my Facebook account or my email.  To create an episode I recorded the selection with my phone.  After saving the file to my computer I added and uploaded the file.  What I like about this one was that it gave me a choice to upload a picture or image.  This too was easy to use.  Being able to record with my phone or computer I could stop and edit my recordings.


     The last one I tried was audioBoom. I was able to sign up for an account and have my email address verified.  I had to apply to do a podcast.  While waiting for permission I have the option to listen to other podcast.  I saw AudioBoo as well.  I was able to get the app on my computer , but was unable to use it.

     I plan to use podcast like an audiobook.  When I checked out the link http://www.booklistreader.com/tag/audiobooker/ the author Stephen King talked about how he used audio books for entertainment.  He mentioned that he like to listen to books while taking a walk or while multitasking.  I can use podcast to scaffold and differentiate learning for learners in my classroom.  I will first use it as a whole classroom lesson this Tuesday!  I am still having trouble with my voice and still have to teach.

Burkey, Mary (2016, July 5).  Stephen King  Declares "Audio Books Are Terrific". Booklistreader,      Retrieved November 13, 2016 http://www.booklistreader.com/tag/audiobooker/