Adventures in Podcasting!Adventures in Podcasting!

By: Gloria DarlingtonBy: Gloria Darlington

Uncharted TerritoryUncharted Territory

I have heard podcasts mentioned before I joined I have heard podcasts mentioned before I joined STEP. However, I did not really know what they STEP. However, I did not really know what they were. I was one of those people who thought you were. I was one of those people who thought you had to have an IPod to listen to them.had to have an IPod to listen to them.

I had so much to learn!

Podcast #1Podcast #1

Grammar Girl was the first podcast I actually was able Grammar Girl was the first podcast I actually was able to sit through. It grabbed me right away with her to sit through. It grabbed me right away with her witty banter and her useful hints.witty banter and her useful hints.

Her clear speech and her obvious knowledge and Her clear speech and her obvious knowledge and command of the English Language makes it a command of the English Language makes it a wonderfully interesting Podcast.wonderfully interesting Podcast.

DescriptionDescription

The episode I listened to was a Halloween one, The episode I listened to was a Halloween one, describing the difference between “which” and describing the difference between “which” and “that.” (I never really thought about there “that.” (I never really thought about there being a difference, so I learned something).being a difference, so I learned something).

I felt like the lesson was slightly confusing, but useful. I don’t have a strong background in grammar, so I couldn’t process all of the information she was giving me. But I did learn the word “that” should be used in a restrictive clause and “which” in a non-restrictive clause.

ApplicationApplicationI think that this information could be good in Language I think that this information could be good in Language

Arts classes or with RELL’s (Recently Exited Language Arts classes or with RELL’s (Recently Exited Language Learners) to help them adjust to English Grammar. It Learners) to help them adjust to English Grammar. It may go over some students’ heads. But I think that there may go over some students’ heads. But I think that there is a lot of potential.is a lot of potential.

If I were to use it in my class, it would be to help students If I were to use it in my class, it would be to help students in the editing process of their writing. If I notice that in the editing process of their writing. If I notice that students are making some grave grammatical errors, they students are making some grave grammatical errors, they could listen to the podcasts and then practice the could listen to the podcasts and then practice the grammar rules in their writing.grammar rules in their writing.

(http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/)

Podcast #2Podcast #2

I chose it because, as a former History Major, I have a I chose it because, as a former History Major, I have a special place in my heart for quirky historical facts.special place in my heart for quirky historical facts.

The second podcast that I listened to was called Stuff You Missed in History Class.

DescriptionDescription

The podcast sounded like a phone conversation that The podcast sounded like a phone conversation that you might hear between two friends. They joked you might hear between two friends. They joked back and forth, all while giving information on the back and forth, all while giving information on the topic of the births of Frankenstein and Dracula. topic of the births of Frankenstein and Dracula.

The discussion took many side tracks and I had trouble focusing for the entire 20 minutes.

This was also a Halloween episode. I guess I was in a scary kind of mood.

ApplicationApplication

This podcast would be especially useful in Language This podcast would be especially useful in Language Arts as well as the Social Studies classroom.Arts as well as the Social Studies classroom.

If I were to use it, I would have students listen to the If I were to use it, I would have students listen to the topic being discussed. In this case, it was how Percy topic being discussed. In this case, it was how Percy Shelly, Mary Godwin and Lord Byron got in a scary Shelly, Mary Godwin and Lord Byron got in a scary story writing contest. From this, the story story writing contest. From this, the story Frankenstein and Dracula were written.Frankenstein and Dracula were written.

I would have my students work in a group to have a I would have my students work in a group to have a scary story writing competition to see if they can scary story writing competition to see if they can create any new characters that might haunt the night.create any new characters that might haunt the night.

www.howstuffworks.com

Podcast #3Podcast #3

http://storynory.com/

I went through many podcasts before I settled on this one for #3.

The host’s clear British accent and lilting voice made this podcast a must-listen.

DescriptionDescription

The Storynory podcasts are a collection of short The Storynory podcasts are a collection of short stories and folk tales from around the world. The stories and folk tales from around the world. The one I listened to was called “The Watermelon one I listened to was called “The Watermelon Prince” and it was a folk tale from Vietnam.Prince” and it was a folk tale from Vietnam.

The text of the story is available The text of the story is available on the website, and you can follow along as you listen.on the website, and you can follow along as you listen.

There is even a feature where you can post your own There is even a feature where you can post your own comments and have the site creator respond. Very comments and have the site creator respond. Very useful!useful!

ApplicationApplication

This podcast could be used in both the Language Arts This podcast could be used in both the Language Arts and ESOL classrooms.and ESOL classrooms.

If I were to use it in my classroom, I would use it to If I were to use it in my classroom, I would use it to help my lower readers. They would listen to the help my lower readers. They would listen to the podcast and follow along with the words. podcast and follow along with the words.

Also, it could be a great tool in teaching storytelling. Also, it could be a great tool in teaching storytelling. Students could re-tell stories from their own countries Students could re-tell stories from their own countries or research folk tales that share their roots. or research folk tales that share their roots.

Only 3?!?!Only 3?!?!

I had trouble stopping at just 3 podcasts. I had trouble stopping at just 3 podcasts.

There is so much information out there. I am There is so much information out there. I am swimming in ideas for my own podcasting swimming in ideas for my own podcasting potential.potential.

I can’t wait!I can’t wait!

Images UsedImages Used

Microsoft Clip ArtMicrosoft Clip Art http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/ http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?ter

ms=stuff+you+missed+in+history+classms=stuff+you+missed+in+history+class http://storynory.com/2009/10/26/the-http://storynory.com/2009/10/26/the-

watermelon-prince/watermelon-prince/