We created this project to explore ways teacher can use content creation tools and formats (such as podcasting, graphic design, and video creation) to provide students with alternative assignment and assessment formats.
Category: EdTech Inquiry
This is the category to apply to your EdTech Inquiry project work.
For our Edtech inquiry project, my group has decided to research and curate a list of technologies that could be used for alternative projects in the high school classroom, along with some compiled resources such as tutorials on how to get started with these.
To get started, I’m researching podcasting as an alternative “essay” method for students. I’ve worked on a few podcast projects in my undergrad degree, and they can be a lot of fun as well as an effective format for group projects that can be worked on together online rather than in person. Most people have a pretty good mic on their smartphone and the ability to record “voice memos” or something similar, and there are some excellent freely available softwares for podcast editing such as Audacity or Garageband. There is, of course, no end to the fancy equipment and expensive software available, but it is very easy to get started in podcasting with very simple equipment or even what you already own and create a product of listenable quality.
I think one of the reasons the podcast industry has taken off the way it has is because it has the potential to gather people digitally, whether for interviews or round table discussions, and still give the audience that “together” feeling of a great conversation. Even solo podcasters can reach and connect with their audiences in a way that other forms of written media can’t. For students, podcasting can be a great way to connect with personal voice in a way that may be more approachable for those who get nervous about presentations, and allows for longer form topics because they don’t need to be experienced live. Students can practice writing original work, interviewing, or even acting. I think creating a podcast of an audio drama could be a fantastic project to try in a high school theatre or creative writing class.
I’ve started to compile some “getting started” type resources and one of the ones I’ve enjoyed is a podcast itself! They give some great tips for everything from choosing your niche and what your podcast will be about, microphone technique, some options for software to use, how to publish, and more.
This is where Assignment 2: Educational Technology Resource Development will be presented when complete.