After completing the readings, I am very excited to learn more about podcasts in class tomorrow night. I had never really thought of the field trip "guide" being a podcast. When I visited Alcatraz they gave me a headset and put me on a guided tour. I got to listen to all sorts of information as I walked around. I learned much more than I would have by walking around myself and it was much more time and cost efficient than having a walking tour guide. The funny thing is that I had never really thought of that as a podcast!
I see the potential for podcasts in the classroom even more than some of the other tools that we have discussed. I think that they would be potentially very useful in "frontloading", or teaching students about content before they read. I cannot wait to hear how people are already using them! (And how to do them...I have no idea.)
I have started to think, though. Does technology allow the "rich" to get richer and the "poor" to remain poor? By rich and poor, I mean, do school district that have lots of money and resources continue to offer children more and more while districts with tight budgets offer very little in terms of technology? For example, when I was teaching in one school district in Iowa there was one student computer for each classroom and no lab. The computer was dated and didn't offer any programs except for AR. Up the road 20 minutes at another school district the elementary school had a number of student computers in each classroom, a lab with multiple programs, and mobile labs. I would like to do more reading in terms of equibility in technology. I would expecially like to know more about states other than Iowa.
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Okay, if I used blogs in the classroom I would definitely need to discuss re-reading before posting. Expecially....that's horrible. Sorry! I should have edited more carefully.
ReplyDeleteI have the same concerns when it comes to using Podcasts in the classroom. I too worry that the poorer students would not get the same chance as the ones who can afford to listen to them at home. I think this will consistently remain an obstacle when it comes to using technology.
ReplyDeleteThe digital divide in terms of technology is always present. In fact, the gap is getting bigger. Sometimes it seems like this issue to much too big for a classroom teacher. However, just things like getting access in classrooms, arranging equipment throughout the school, being mindful of the type of activities we have students working on with technology (differences) and just writing grants to support such use. We can make a difference and help the gap get a bit smaller!
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading you blog, I was wondering exactly what Dr. Schmidt said in her comments, why does the gap have to remain so big. Why can't we as teachers empower those around us and come together to get the resources needed. In the article I read they got a grant of $1200 and bought 3 iPods and 3 headphones to go with. That was way back when, now with $1200 you could get at least 6 iPods, especially you dont have to buy something else and the microphone is built in.
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