End of Semester Thoughts
Creating a podcast is something that I had always wanted to do and this assignment gave me that opportunity. I was able to highlight some programs that I had been working on, as well as talk STEM and STEAM and how it affects our students. I try and find every opportunity to get kids thinking and failing at things yet keep them interested and this was a perfect outlet to review some of that. What was really neat was being able to showcase one of my students and give him the opportunity to share what he is passionate about. We should be doing more of that as educators, which goes back to a previous lesson of "What makes a 21st century educator?" Showcasing student work outside of the school would be one of those characteristics of a 21st century educator.
EDTECH STEAMcast* by Kevin Deissler
The STEAMcast Podcast was developed as a way to just talk about things that I'm passionate about. I felt that was the easiest way to develop content to talk about. In these shows, I discuss the connection of Lego Robotics to STEAM, how students can be Makers, and a detail of my intentions once I win the first grant I ever wrote. I interview Dan Beck, my robotics "partner in crime," and Kyle, a fifth grade Maker who shares how he created a virtual reality headset. Honestly, this is a series that could continue, evolving into a show where students share what they make and the process behind it. Students could interview other students. When discussing internet safety and social media we always talk about how easy it is for kids to say things when they're hiding behind a keyboard. Spin this into a positive experience and students may feel more comfortable behind a microphone than in front of a class.
I mention in one of my shows that I had our Home & School association purchase our school podcasting equipment with the idea that students can create a radio show. I just love the idea that students can create and share things; it's not being done nearly enough right now. Students can create things, but there is no outlet to sharing it aside from a paper portfolio. Even if I can't get a weekly show together, students could use this equipment and Audacity (we actually also have an Adobe Audition that students could learn to make their 'casts. Students could also record a radio series related to The Hunger Games, maybe some propaganda radio whose goal is to speak out against the Capital. They could interview a famous person with another student playing the part of that person, using accents and just having fun with experiencing and sharing information in a unique way.
*STEAMcast is in no way affiliated with www.steamcast.com
I mention in one of my shows that I had our Home & School association purchase our school podcasting equipment with the idea that students can create a radio show. I just love the idea that students can create and share things; it's not being done nearly enough right now. Students can create things, but there is no outlet to sharing it aside from a paper portfolio. Even if I can't get a weekly show together, students could use this equipment and Audacity (we actually also have an Adobe Audition that students could learn to make their 'casts. Students could also record a radio series related to The Hunger Games, maybe some propaganda radio whose goal is to speak out against the Capital. They could interview a famous person with another student playing the part of that person, using accents and just having fun with experiencing and sharing information in a unique way.
*STEAMcast is in no way affiliated with www.steamcast.com
STEAMcast Episode I
STEAMcast Episode II
STEAMcast Episode III
Image credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Steamtop.jpg