Journal 2: Using Podcasts to Develop a Global Perspective- NETS 3 and 5

Maguth, B. M., & Elliott, J. (2010). Using Podcasts to Develop a Global Perspective. International Society for Technology in Education, 37(5) pg 1-2. Retrieved February 20, 2010, from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=February_No_5_4&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4495&ContentID=25244&DirectListComboInd=D

Summary: This article, co-written by a doctoral student at Ohio State University and a high school social studies teacher, explains a project that was conducted in an actual high school in Columbus, Ohio. The assignment was that students were supposed to moderate and record a debate on a global issue using a Meet the Press format, in which personalities holding different views exchange their ideas. One group of students chose the issue of climate change, and so they researched different people’s perspectives on the issue. Their research included the views of politicians, world leaders, CEO’s, scientists and authors. Then they wrote a script of questions and predicted responses as if those people were actually a part of a real news panel on climate change. The last step was recording their scripts, creating the podcast and then putting it on the school's social studies homepage.

What are the benefits of using podcasts in the classroom? There are many benefits to using podcasts in the classroom. First of all, it tests student’s knowledge of technology and challenges them to work cooperatively with their peers to create a finalized product. Students who have never used such technology before have the opportunity to try it out, and those that have are able to become more proficient in their usage. A second benefit is that after the podcast is posted to the school website, it allows the parents to see their child’s work and academic growth. Also, other teachers, school staff members and community members are able to observe the student’s learning and personal involvement in understanding complex global issues. A third benefit is that it allows the students to feel like what they accomplish as assignments in the classroom can actually affect the outside world. Others may see their project and feel motivated to act in regards to global problems. A fourth and final benefit to using podcasts in the classroom is that it allows students to feel a sense of pride and satisfaction in their work. Knowing that they worked so hard on something and then having it displayed in their community and the global society can give them such a sense of joy and fulfillment.

How could teachers use podcasts in their classrooms?
I think teachers could create interdisciplinary projects using podcasts that incorporate many of the different school subjects a student might be taking. For example, the English, Science and Technology teachers at a high school could cooperate to make a project using podcasts that involves scientific writing and technology. This project would apply to all three classes in different ways, and would receive grades on different components according to their subject area. This would allow the students to see the connection between different subjects and how their comprehensive knowledge of many subjects can be used to create a final product.