There were several pros mentioned in the book. They can help English language learners to improve their skills in English which allows them to become proficient in speaking English. By improving their English speaking skills if the want to learn a foreign language, such as French or Spanish, can focus more on learning these languages and come proficient in listening to and speaking these languages as well as English. Something else that is a pro is that they are a mobile technology. Teachers can download information that will help their students review concepts they learned in class on the bus, at home, or anywhere they may be.Another pro for MP3 players is that people can access digital resources in music, English, and geography classes to help them learn more about these subjects.
Thee were also cons mentioned. Illegal uploading and downloading of music and videos files is a major problem with the MP3 players. A problem that comes from the use of MP3 players is that students use them as a way to cheat. By downloading information for the test onto their MP3 players, students were able to listen to information and then apply it to the test they were taking.
I trust you will have looked at (listened to) at least some of the links suggested in the chapter section on "Using Existing Files." What stands out to you most (and why) of those links? How might you use it in your classes?
What stands out most to me is the versatility of the podcasts. The Grandview Library Blog the students could go and listen to the lady talking about books they might like to read so it was something students could use to get information. On the Radio Willow Web (which was my favorite) the students were able to make their own podcasts over a variety of subjects. Not only was there a variety of subjects. but all grades were able to create podcasts on what they were learning. So even students in kindergarten could use this technology. Then several of the other websites were podcasts for teachers that they could use for resources in their classes as well as ones they could use to learn about new things useful for their own teaching skills. I was amazed and overwhelmed at the number of references that teachers could find for them.
I would have the students listen to podcasts that would help to reinforce what ever topic we were discussing. I would encourage them to go on and find podcasts that would help them better understand and increase their learning. I think them having informational podcasts to go to would help them learn to use the MP3 for educational reasons and maybe even more responsibly as they find another use for them other than just listening to their music. I would also utilize the features that allows them to create their own podcasts. This will help them to improve their communication skills as well as reinforce what they learned by writing it up and telling people. I think I would also encourage them to listen to podcasts that other students made as well.
There also are suggestions for making podcasts in Chapter 3. Are there any suggestions that might be useful to you in the future? Why (or why not)?
One of the ideas I really liked for making podcasts that I would use is the teacher downloading information that the students can listen to later while they are studying. I feel that this will help the students to review better because they can hear what the teacher says again and will get the correct information. I know that I took notes a lot in my undergraduate classes and they later when I was looking over them I could not remember exactly what the notes meant. By the students being able to listen to the teacher in the same context I feel would be helpful and beneficial. Also, if a student were absent for some reason they could listen to what the teacher said instead of asking for a summary from the teacher or a fellow student, reading some else's notes and relying in them to have taken good notes, or just doing the work without really understanding what they are doing. Since I do not know much about podcasting it was useful information to me to know that you can use the recording capabilities of cell phones or MP3 players to record audio files for use in a podcast.
Well thought out and presented. Thank you!
ReplyDelete