Podcasting

Image Sources: http://sasns.scoilnet.ie/blog/2009/12/01/podcasting-fever/ and http://edseminars.apple.com/seminars/event.php?eventID=60

I recently became interested in Podcasting in the classroom, and decided to do a little research! I found a definition at About.com that really spells out the basics of what podcasting is.

Podcasting describes the process of using audio files to deliver syndicated website content to a digital audience. Basically, in podcasting, you create audio files that are available on your website, which people can then download to their iPods or MP3 players and listen to. “Podcasts” are delivered through RSS (Rich Site Summary) feeds; users subscribe to various podcasts which are then checked regularly for updates – just like blogs. So podcasting is essentially another medium for delivering syndicated web content to your users. About’s Linda Roeder calls podcasting "blogging with sound".

Many teachers across the states, and even across the world have decided to incorporate podcasting into their school routine. Podcasting is beneficial for the students because they can go back and listen to the information on the Podcast over and over again to get what they need. In the website that I found about Podcasting in the classroom, the teacher had the students record their own podcasts and have them all available at a classroom website within iTunes. I find this technology to be extremely useful and plan on using something like this when I am teaching.

Below are some helpful videos about podcasting and incorporating it into your classroom.

After watching these videos, I am even more confident that Podcasting is going to become a major part of the basic education curriculum in the future. I am excited to be entering the profession at such a great time for technology to really flourish. I hope that after reading this, you are inspired to create your own Podcasting website for your classroom.

Prezi

Image Sources: http://cathryno.globalteacher.org.au/2009/10/16/prezi/ and http://www.localhiddenvariable.com/ciid/category/tui/

Prezi is a new option for presentations. It replaces traditional PowerPoint slides with one single screen. On the screen, you lay everything out to create your overview and then choose pathway links between different words or objects. Prezi is also 100% done online, and can be used as a collaboration tool if more than one people are working on a presentation together.
The nice thing about Prezi is that you don't have to organize your information linearly, you just have to put the information down, and then create the pathway that works best for you. The next step is to place and rotate objects using the "zebra wheel", add text, then create your presentation pathway, zooming in and out to alternately see the big picture, then details within that picture.
The Prezi website has a showcase room, which is where you can look at some examples of Prezi's if you are struggling. Once you’ve created your Prezi, you simply move between ideas and concepts by clicking your mouse, just as you would with traditional PowerPoints. It can take some getting used to because it is so different from PowerPoint, but once you get the hang of it, Prezi is an extremely fun, creative, hands-on, and catchy way to present any information!
The Prezi website has tons of informational videos to watch to help you learn how to operate Prezi to the maximum potential.
Prezi would be excellent to use in any classroom because it is a new technology that many students will be intrigued by and want to learn. Prezi can also help students with projects, presentations, and just outlining thoughts.

These YouTube videos also help explain how to use Prezi.







Hopefully now that you have discovered what Prezi is, you will venture out and create a Prezi of your own, either for fun, practice, or your next presentation!