Dena’s Blog

I had recently been introduced to the concept of podcasting through my “other” job, teaching online with Georgia Virtual School. I’m excited about the possibilities that podcasting may present both to me and my students. For example, in my Contemporary Literature course I like to have students read poetry aloud. But none of them have microphones, so even when we are “live” online together, they can’t talk to me. They can only type their questions and answers. I think I can find some ways for them to produce podcasts of their own and present both published and original poetry using that format. I think they will be excited by the “coolness” of the technology (at least I hope they will) and maybe they will go to the trouble ti acquire a microphone for that purpose, because they surely haven’t been interested in getting oen to use in our weekly discussion sessions.

I think podcasting will also give me an opportunity to “demonstrate” things that I can’t usually put into words very easily. Sentence diagramming (if anyone did that anymore) comes to mind, as well as showing students how to use a particular program, like Movie Maker. I wouldn’t have to repeat the lesson as students show up for the lesson; I could podcast it and they could watch it at their convenience.

There were several useful podcast series for English teachers. One was “Grammar Girl,” where she takes a simple concept each episode and gives an explanation of which is correct. For example, one that I listened to dealt with when to say someone was the “first woman _______” as opposd to the “first female _________.” I hadn’t even thought to wonder about that!

I also thought I might be able to use Authors on Tour – Live! to let students hear contemporary authors read from their own work. Students tend to be so much more auditory than I am (or at least they THINK they are), and I think they might enjoy hearing poetry read more than they enjoy reading it. The Poetic Voice was a site that seemed engaging and diverse in poetry types.

I had already subscribed to a couple of podcasts (CNN Headline News, UGA Gymnastics), but I must admit that I’m terrible about keeping up with them. I love Robin Meade on CNN Headline News, and I love her podcasts. But I fee obligated to catch up with ALL of her podcasts after I’ve missed a few. Silly me.