January 2008 — News
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Podcasting from the Seashore in Cape Cod
Workshop also included a license for Clip Art Station, a constantly expanding collection of photo and sound clips that classes can use in their projects. The license for that is annual, and Stewart said she'll be researching how many people have used it in the last two years to decide whether to renew the license.
Tool Factory Podcasting allows classrooms to make an audio recording and upload it to the web. The software includes a scripting tool, sound recorder, editing tools and automated uploading. A site license is $999.99.
The user enters basic information about the podcast, a show name, episode title, and author. Then a script can be typed out, in which different students can be assigned lines to read. As the podcast is being recorded, the user presses the space bar to advance the script. When the recording is done, segments can be deleted or added, sound effects edited in and the volume modified through drag and drop. A publish button uploads the final recording to an FTP site hosted by Tool Factory, where it can be subscribed to through iTunes or another RSS aggregator. The file can also be saved to a local computer or school server or e-mailed.
Video clips can't be linked to the podcast in the current version, but the company reports that this functionality is planned for the next release.
Seeding for Success
Stewart specifically targeted the teachers in fifth grade at a specific school in Yarmouth for her experiment because they're willing to try things. "They seem to be using technology more than other people around the district," she said. "They were kind of excited that they were the ones who were asked to do this."
Stewart said the kids tend to be faster learners than the teachers. "They just figure it out. Intuitively, they know how to operate this stuff."
Her advice to others who want to integrate podcasting and digital photography into the classroom experience is to make sure teachers are given sufficient time and training to understand the basics of the new tools. That includes bringing in substitutes to free the teachers from the classroom.
Stewart brought the same trainer from Tool Factory back for both years' training sessions, because the teachers "had a relationship with her. They've been able to contact her throughout the year with questions." Likewise, Stewart herself sat through the training and provides technical support.
But she did tweak the training. Last year, the instructor started with camera use then showed software use. This year, she started with the software and then covered the camera. The teachers had "an ah-ha moment," explained Stewart. "Last year they were so wrapped up with getting the cameras, they didn't get the extended piece."
That extended piece includes the use of the spreadsheet and database programs in Workshop.
