06.+Audio

= 06. Audio =

Name of Technology Tool:
Podcast

===Rationale for Using this Technology Tool:===
 * gives students experience in public speaking skills
 * allows them to learn a new technology for sound editing, such as Audacity
 * inspires students to think about audience, and what vocabulary is appropriate for their chosen audience

Description of Scenario:
This project would be for an 8th grade class whose teacher plans to take them to a local art museum in a few weeks time. Students will work in pairs, and each pair will be responsible for creating a podcast about an artist whose work will be featured during the art museum visit.

===Rationale for Using This Technology Tool In School Libraries:=== Since the students will be searching for biographical information, using library resources (databases as well as print books) will be a necessary part of their projects. Also, the library teacher and the educational technology specialist will team-teach a class on podcasting production.

===Detailed Description of Scenario in School Library Setting:=== Let's say these 8th graders are studying 19th century European artists. The teacher will give the students a list of artists whose paintings will be featured during the museum outing. The teacher and the librarian meet to plan out the lesson, and the librarian gathers a cart of reference books as well as a list of databases that would be the most helpful. For example, the librarian may use Oxford Art Online. This database includes a biography search option as well as other types of searches, and allows students to export their citations to RefWorks and other citation software.

There will be three days in the library. On Day 1, the librarian will present relevant print reference materials as well as introduce one or two helpful databases. The students then start their research. Day 2 will be a continuation of student independent research, with librarian intervention/support as needed. A week later, after students have gathered all of their information, the librarian and education technology specialist will do a presentation on podcasting. The students will then be assigned various blocks of computer lab time to actually record their podcasts, or they may record them at home (if they need help at home, they could chat with the librarian via Meebo or another chat interface). The final podcasts will be posted on the class wiki.

Finally, the students will download all of the podcasts onto their MP3 players, iPods, etc. (those who do not have a device may borrow one from the school library). On the appointed day, the class visits the museum and each student gets a peer-to-peer learning experience as she/he listens to his/her classmates' thoughts on the art. As a final wrap-up, each student must give written feedback/constructive criticism on at least two podcasts.


 * Submitted by Alissa Rosellini