Podcasting: You can do it, We can Help!

Podcasting: You can do it, We can Help! Denise Davis, 6th grade ddavis@columbus.k12.nc.us Michelle Powell, High school mpowell@columbus.k12.nc.us Eleanor Pusey, Math facilitator epusey@columbus.k12.nc.us NCTM Annual Meeting, San Diego CA April 23, 2010

Outline of Presentation • What is podcasting? • Our podcasting journey • Podcasts for teachers • Podcasts for students • Podcasts by students • Benefits & Challenges • Create your own

What is podcasting? • Podcast = “iPod” + “broadcast” • 2 formats (audio and video) Patterson, Laurie. (2006). The technology underlying podcasts. Computer (39),10 103-105. http://people.uncw.edu/pattersonl/Personal/Computer-Podcast.pdf

Podcasting vs. Videotaping • SHARING • PORTABILITY • Allows mix of images, text/annotation, video, and audio

Podcasting data set Source: Patterson (2006)

How we got started • MSP grant (PIMUST) included podcasting component for the purpose of archiving content professional development led by STEM faculty and master teachers • Computer scientist videotaped summer institutes and produced podcasts, set up RSS feed, lead teachers download/view podcasts

Accessing Our MSP Podcasts Show sample podcast from summer PD Subscribe to PIMUST podcast: Open iTunes Click on Advanced Menu at top Select Subscribe to Podcast… Enter the following URL http://www.columbus.k12.nc.us/podcast/pod.xml

How you can get started • Search for some podcasts to download and listen to. Get comfortable with the process of listening to and learning from podcasts. • Recommendation: Teaching with SmartBoard • http://teachingwithsmartboard.com/ • To subscribe to this podcast, click on link on left under Bookmarks, “Subscribe to iTunes”

Search for Math Ed podcasts • What podcasts have you found to be useful for you in teaching mathematics? • Math Dudes Quick & Dirty Tips • Tennessee State Dept (grade level podcasts) • iTunes U is good place to search • What podcasts have you found to be useful for your students in teaching mathematics?

My first attempts • Introduction to Sketchpad podcasts • Used screen-capture software & microphone Camtasia Studio • http://www.columbus.k12.nc.us/pimust

Podcasts by Teachers Michelle • Use screen-capture software & microphone CamStudio (free) • http://www.columbus.k12.nc.us/wchs/powellmichelle/ • Click on Video Lesson for Rotations (AVI file, will play with Windows Media Player)

Podcasts by Students Denise • Student-led demonstrations • Kiley solving one-step equation • Anna prime factorization of 120 • Lesson Closure • Classifying Quadrilaterals by Sides/Angles • Used document camera & microphone • Samsung Digital Presenter (avi capture program)

Benefits • On-demand professional development 24/7 • Ease of sharing and connecting with others • Portable! • Using technology engages students • Student Reflection & Review

Challenges • Striving for “perfection” – time consuming. • Finding quiet place to record audio • Server space (video files can get large). • Having to convert files from AVI to MP4 • Free AVI software converter: http://www.convertavitomp4.com/ **I created a podcast of how to convert an AVI to MP4 and then add the MP4 file to iTunes. Click here: http://screencast.com/t/ODU4ZjA0YTQt

How-to AUDIO podcast 1) Record Audio Software: Audacity, Sound Recorder (Windows) Garage Band (Mac) 2) Save/Convert/Export as MP3 file 3) Distribute (post to web site, do RSS feed)

How-to VIDEO podcast 1) Record video • Flip camera • Screen Capture software (Jing, Snagit, Camtasia Studio) 2) Distribute • Teacher Web site • Screencast.com • RSS feed (see podcasting article for how-to) **For iPod use file format must be MP4

Sharing Ideas • What ideas has this session generated for you in using podcasts? • How are you already using/utilizing podcasts in your context?

Thanks! We will post the PowerPoint on our district’s web site. http://www.columbus.k12.nc.us/pimust Article includes Dr. Patterson’s email and contact information Email Eleanor: epusey@columbus.k12.nc.us

Podcasting: You can do it, We can Help!