Starting up :
Think of something in school that you had to memorize in which a teacher had created a catchy saying or song to help you remember. Share your little ditty.
What is out there?:
Even if you are not excited about creating new content or having your students put out some amazing work, you will be suprised how many lessons already exist that you can use FREE!
Creating Content
Using programs like Audacity help everyone have equal access to audio recording.
Audacity - PC version
Audacity - Mac version
Enhancing your productions:
There are many free audio sites out there that provide loops, sound effects, and other crazy things to add to any audio production
Partners in Rhyme - Royalty free music and sound effects including midis, loops and more
The Freesound Project - People recording free sound effects for others to use
Free Loops - Make music like you really want to with these free loops
Sound Effects Directory - A listing of free audio resources
The Making of a Masterpiece:
You have the means to record, you have the special effects, now it's time to make an audio masterpiece! Ideas for your production may include:
- Reading of a story you read in class
- Vocabulary words - maybe done to a rap or rhyme to help with memorization
- A radio re-enactment of a significant historical event
- Educational adds that can be played and used in class to help intro new sections of the day or content
- A simple listing of audio homework that can be easily added daily to your website for those students too young to read or maybe with very weak reading skills
- Foreign language - Oh the posibilities! Let your students hear from you exactly what you are expecting. Audio lessons have proven to be extreemly powerful tools in teaching other languages
So now where do you put this?
Podcasting is not just the making of audio files. If you wish to truely podcast you will create content on a set schedule to make it availalbe for people to view. Posting options include your website, blogs, wikis, or just shared files on the local network. Some schools even store content on MP3 players that students sign out of the library.
