Podcasting for ELT

Moderators:

Graham Stanley, Spain
<blogefl at gmail.com >

Scott Lockman, Japan
<scott.lockman at gmail.com >

Robert Diem, Japan
<diemrob at yahoo.com>

(please replace at with @ before sending your e-mail)

Podcasting (a portemanteau of the words iPod and broadcasting) is the name given to the publishing of audio (usually mp3 files) via the Internet, designed to be downloaded and listened to on a portable mp3 player of any type, or on a personal computer.

Podcasting, which is a recent development of the changing Web (often referred to as Web 2.0), at its most basic level offers language teachers and students a wide range of possibilities for extra listening both inside and outside of the classroom. Apart from this, however, it is also possible to extend the scope of the classroom when students become involved in creating their own content for a real audience, building community with other classes and students around the world, or when teachers share good practice and new developments with colleagues on-line.

Our aim with this session is to examine the current and future uses of podcasting (downloadable Internet audio) in English Language Teaching. Participants will be examining existing podcasts and how best to find them and integrate them into their own teaching and learning situations. We will also give participants who want to produce their own podcasts the opportunity to do so in a supportive community environment where advice and encouragement will be given during every stage of the process, from planning to production, and publication to promotion.

Weekly synchronous sessions (including participation by guest podcasters) will be held to analyse various aspects of podcasting from different perspectives and encourage discussion about the current practice and future potential of this exciting new medium.

Target Audience

Any educator (school, college, university, academy) interested in the potential of and current applications of podcasting in ESL/EFL. This workshop is suitable for total beginners (no prior knowledge of podcasting is expected) as well as educators with experience.

Participants should be familiar with and have access to an Internet enabled computer (PC or MAC) with audio facilities (headphones and microphone). Access to a portable mp3 player (with voice recording facility) is desirable if participants want to record students in class, but not essential. The other on-line tools that will be used during the course are free.

We will be offering two modes of participation:

1) Active Podcaster: You will follow the workshop, learning the practicalities of planning and producing your own podcast. Active podcasters will be asked to enroll in the session's Moodle and will finish the session having created their own podcast as well as having a detailed understanding of how podcasting can benefit students and teachers.

NB: This mode will require a substantial time commitment (estimated 5 hours per week) on behalf of the participant, and is aimed at educators who would like to produce their own podcasts. The number of active participants will be restricted to 30 (this number may be revised depending on demand).

2) Observer/Reviewer. For the busier participant, who is encouraged to participate in the group as much or as little as he/she wishes, reading and listening to the material, and reviewing the podcasts. This mode is for educators who have less time available and/or are interested in learning more about podcasts but who do not necessarily want to produce their own.

Observers/Reviewers are encouraged to participate in the the course Moodle and will finish the session with a good understanding of podcasting practice and theory.

Weekly Content

Week I – Introductions, surveys, getting acquainted with our Yahoo group, Moodle, and each other
All participants will meet the moderators and participants; complete a survey about prior knowledge, experience, needs and expectations; and guidelines and the schedule will be set for the course. At the end of this week, which participants will have confirmed the mode of their participation and active participants will have set up a blog to act as a base for their podcast.
Synchronous Session: Introduction to Podcasting and Participants

Week II – What, Where, When, How & Why?
All participants will be encouraged to:
   * listen to different types of podcasts and start to categorize them
    * make use of directories (both general and ESL/EFL) to find them
    * assisted in downloading and using a podcatching client (iTunes, ipodder, etc) to subscribe to content
    * engage in a discussion about how and why podcasting can be integrated into a course
    * debate about how best to use podcasts with students and for professional development

Week III - Do it yourself part 1 - Planning your own podcast
Active Participants will be asked to put forward their proposals for their own podcasting projects, deciding on:
   * purpose, goals, and message
   * whether they want to / how best to involve their students in creating a podcast
Active participants will also be asked to download and install the free audio tool Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) and begin to learn how to use this tool. High-flying active participants will be encouraged to produce their own podcast and share this with the group.
Observers / Reviewers will be asked to discuss:
   * ideal length (time) for a podcast
   * ideal frequency (how often?) for a podcast
   * audience considerations
   * the pros and cons of scripting vs spontaneous podcasting
   * the role content plays in the process
   Synchronous Session: Student podcasts with Scott Lockman (host) and guests (to be confirmed)

Week IV - Do it yourself part 2 - Podcast Tools and promotion
In this section, active participants will begin to experiment with recording (on the PC & MAC using Audacity and/or other tools and/or in the classroom), and we will be looking at technical considerations involving microphones and other equipment. We will also be looking at on-line podcasting solutions (such as podOmatic and Odeo).
Observers / reviewers will be involved in looking at the role of RSS and ways of promoting podcasts, as well as starting to listen to and review the first podcasts produced by the active participants.
Synchronous Session: Technical Aspects / Participants Progress (host/ guests to be confirmed)

Week V - Bells & Whistles
Active Participants will be encouraged to explore ways of adding music and effects to their podcasts and to experiment with recording VOIP telephony (Skype) sessions, as well as being introduced to webcasting.
Observers / Reviewers will be asked to examine fine tuning, and to discuss ways of learning from podcast listeners.
Synchronous Session: Webcasting / Participants Progress with Graham Stanley (host) and guests (to be confirmed)

Week VI - Building a community of practice
Finally, all participants will be asked to share their conclusions, examine possible future developments in podcasting and to debate the value of podcasting in English language teaching.
Active participants who decide to continue with their podcasts will be encouraged to keep in touch through the ELT Podcasting Yahoo Group community, and future events will be announced.

Session evaluation.
Synchronous Session: Evaluation / The Future (to be confirmed)

Communication Media:

Podcasting in ELT Yahoo Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/podcasting_elt/
Podcatcher client, e.g., iTunes or ipodder
Free recorder, e.g., Audacity - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Online podcasters, e.g., podOmatic and Odeo
Skype (VOIP) - http://www.skype.com
Synchronous voice chat venues, e.g., World Bridges, Alado, Tapped In, Learning Times

About the Moderators:

Graham Stanley teaches EFL at the British Council and ESP at the school of tourism of the University of Ramon Llull, in Barcelona, where he has lived and worked for the last eleven years. He has an M.Ed. in ELT & Educational Technology from the University of Manchester, UK.

Scott Lockman has been an English teacher in Japan since 1998. He is currently enrolled in the MA in TESOL program at Teachers College in Tokyo. Prior to coming to Japan, he worked in radio broadcasting. He has been podcasting since October, 2004.

Robert Diem holds an M.A. in TESOL, and currently teaches at university level in Japan. Originally from Seattle, WA, he has lived in Japan for the past 13 years. Professional interests include educational technology and curriculum design. In his free time, Robert likes hiking in the back country and spending time with his wife and son.

To join this session:

Go to the Podcasting in ELT Yahoo Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/podcasting_elt/

and click on the blue button:

To read about other EVO sessions:

Electronic Village Online

Jan-Feb 2006

Podcasting in English Language Teaching

TIMELINE

Podcasting for ELT