PODCASTS

Podcasts are a great tool that has been around for more than a decade.  As teachers, we need to find new and innovative ways to get the students comfortable with them in the classroom.

Podcasts provide a unique way to build critical thinking skills while adhering to state standards (Mannia). 

Podbean  https://www.podbean.com/

I’ve used this platform before for a different class, it was a learning experience.  It took some practice, but I got the hang of it.   It provides free set up and easy to use tools.  It does give the option to upgrade for about $9 a month.  This would be great for students to give a summary about their books or explain a project in detail.  This platform requires students that are tech savvy.

VoiceThread  https://voicethread.com/

This free app allows users to annotate directly on the screen, add videos and pictures, and share documents.  Great for classrooms that are one-to-one with iPads.  I downloaded VoiceThread to my iPad, download, register, and signed in.  When I clicked on create, I was prompted to add a slide and three boxes came up with record with microphone, upload, and record with camera.  Users are able to get a link, email, upload to Twitter or VT groups to share their podcast. It's by far the simplest platform I've used and I highly recommend it for elementary students.

The Alchemyst
by Michael Scott

Click and listen to an assignment  (Why your peers should read your favorite book) that was given to a 6th grader (my nephew).
https://voicethread.com/share/11107084/

PodOmatic https://www.podomatic.com/

PodOmatic is great for users that are just starting out, publishing an episode is a step by step process; write title and description, upload an audio or video file and you’re good to go.

To get started I created a profile with my email and created a password. This platform was also extremely easy to use, it prompts you very step of the way.  1. Select media for your episode, 2. Enter a title or description, 3. Add an image, 4. Choose a quality level, 5. Publish!

Podcasts bring a unique way to provide useful information to the growing number of listeners accustomed to learning things auditory and a richer learning experience for the classroom.  Explore these podcasts;

 Tumble - a science podcast for kids, to be enjoyed by the entire family.  They can hear stories about science discoveries, with the help of scientists.







Brainson - hosts talk about food scientists and snake handlers, put on plays, write songs and more.

Storynory - free audio stories of fairytales, myths, poems, and music.

Welcome to Night Vale - these podcasts consist of mysterious lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers, and cultural events, best suited for Tweens in Middle School.

Serial - filled with drama, one story told week by week great for Teens in High School.

 For more classroom lesson and great podcast for kids take at these https://www.weareteachers.com/best-podcasts-for-kids/

Catapano, J. Technology in the classroom: Best free podcast apps. Teach Hub.com. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-best-free-podcast-apps

Kokias, M. (2017). 18 best podcasts for kids in elementary, middle, and highschool. We Are Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.weareteachers.com/best-podcasts-for-kids/

Mammina, A. (2017). Teaching the art of listening: How to use podcasts in the classroom. Education Week Teacher. Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2017/09/teaching_the_art_of_listening_how_to_use_podcasts_in_the_classroom.html