Why bother?

Podcasting sounds interesting but what's the value after all? Do I really need to bother trying out yet one more thing while I have such a full plate already?

If you hear yourself asking these questions and are wondering what's in podcasting for educators, then read on!

Have you encountered students who can perform exceptionally well, but stage fear grips them in front of a large audience? Well, every classroom has a few of this variety. Then there are others who're not their best with a paper and pencil, but will be able to retell the entire concept or story - adding their own opinions and stating rare facts alongside - verbally! Imagine the power of putting a microphone in front of these students and letting them express themselves in a corner of the room. Multiple intelligences taken care of right then and there! A unique instructional as well as assessment strategy to respect the differences in each individual!

In case you hadn't heard the term yet, students of the generation we're teaching these days are being increasingly addressed as Digital Natives! These kids have always been around the internet, digital cameras, video games, Playstations and other fascinating pieces of technology. In the classroom, when the teacher hands out worksheets to fill out, some of their groans are almost audible! But the 21st century teacher waves in the direction of the computers (or the computer lab) while telling them when they're project is due. Immediately, they start thinking about their work! Instant motivation and the problems of classroom management solved in a jiffy!

With televisions, radios, I-Pods and the internet being the decisive elements in the life of youngsters, educators shoulder a huge responsibility to impart media literacy skills. Access to a computer with microphones and headphones which the students use to create their own radio shows and listen to what students in other parts of the world are doing, takes care of the responsibility while helping in the development of higher-order thinking skills!

In the present educational system, podcasting is a wonderful way of "getting things done" while keeping students interested at the same time! There's no end to possibilities with podcasting. If you think of more, add them on in your comments!