Have you ever tried to communicate with your online students and discovered that they ignore your messages? When you integrate audio podcasting tools into your online and blended instruction, your students can actually HEAR you. This session will introduce users to various audio recording services that allows individuals to communicate.
This session will assist participants in identifying the emerging trends in using various audio podcasting tools in their face-to-face, online and blended classrooms. The participants will examine and discuss the potential uses of audio podcasting tools in various settings (face-to-face, online, blended) and within distinct disciplines. Most importantly, all participants will learn how to create an audio podcast and integrate its use in their teaching.
As an online and blended instructor, presenter Dr. Luongo often struggles with bringing the human aspect into the online classroom. Many distance learning students argue that they miss the interaction they get in a face-to-face classroom. Although Dr. Luongo designed her courses in a way that had students engaged in online discussions and group work, she found that there was one piece missing in her instruction--a voice. Previously, she would email weekly messages, but found they ended up on “deaf” ears. No one would reply or react to the messages, so she was unsure that they even read them. Several years ago, she started using a podcasting service Audioboo (now called “Audioboom”) to record her voice and send messages that way. Her students started “listening”! She started getting replies from students as well as positive feedback that they loved hearing “a voice” rather than just reading a message. Finally, Dr. Luongo found her “voice”!
As a World Language teacher, presenter Ms. Heimlich values audio podcasting tools as a means by which students can sharpen their listening and comprehension skills in a foreign language. Audio tools also provide students with an opportunity to look at text while hearing it read aloud, helping them to improve their pronunciation and speaking skills as well. Audio and podcasting tools are essential in a World Language classroom in particular, and offer educators excellent options when it comes to practicing for language proficiency tests and related certifications.
As an Instructional Design Specialist, Ms. Heimlich relies on audio and podcasting tools to help students in many disciplines to achieve similar goals. She also appreciates the differentiation and accessibility that these tools provide. Whether a student is vision-impaired, struggles with dyslexia, or simply prefers to listen to his or her instructor on while on a walk or car ride, audio and podcasting tools provide more flexibility and personalization than text alone.