I can't believe it's been two months since I posted anything here. I'm trying to document the process of working on the Communicast podcast, but I need to make regular posts in order to do this.
A lot of work has actually been done on the podcast, including the production of a new episode. So, let me try to catch up with the story...
There wasn't much activity during the month of December. It was just too hectic, so we decided to let the podcast slide until after Winter Break.
Then, because of a big project for the department, I wasn't able to get back to working on the podcast until the middle of January. That gave students time to work on their segments.
The students and their teacher, Valerie Howard, decided to focus on the greenhouse effect. This is a different approach, only covering one topic, so I agreed, figuring that it might make it easier (and faster) to get the episode completed.
The recording went very smoothly. The students were well-prepared, and enthusiastic about their work. By now, they feel comfortable in front of the microphone.
When I left, I had everything I needed to put it all together. That was the end of January. So, why did it take until February 19 to get Communicast 8 published?
I'll continue the story...hopefully tomorrow.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, November 21, 2008
Success!
Our first episode of the Communicast for the 2008 - 2009 school year was published yesterday, November 20, 2008. Although we were behind schedule, the efforts of the students clearly showed in the quality of the podcast.
This podcast is a group effort, and I want to thank the people involved in the project. First, thanks to Valerie Howard, the computer teacher at South Philadelphia High School, for being the co-sponsor of the podcast. Next, the student podcasters: Shaheed, Jasman, Yolonda, Maria, Joshua, Stacey, Michael, Kahlil, and Imene. Working behind the scenes are the Digital Service Fellows: Brandon and Tiani. I want to thank them for their help in working with the students as they wrote their scripts and practiced their speaking parts. They also worked with Imene, who produced the theme song.
I'm hoping that some of the students will add comments to this post, and describe how they feel, now that they are published podcasters.
I'm already looking forward to the next episode. I want the students to take more responsibility for the work, including some of the editing. I also hope that eventually, they'll work with some of the podcasters from last year (elementary school students) and collaborate on their podcast episodes.
But for now, we want to celebrate the successful posting of this episode, which is Communicast 7. To access the podcast, please go here:
http://podcast.phila.k12.pa.us
or here:
http://podcast.phila.k12.pa.us/weblog/440_communicast/
As the students said, "The podcast is in, and we're out!!"
This podcast is a group effort, and I want to thank the people involved in the project. First, thanks to Valerie Howard, the computer teacher at South Philadelphia High School, for being the co-sponsor of the podcast. Next, the student podcasters: Shaheed, Jasman, Yolonda, Maria, Joshua, Stacey, Michael, Kahlil, and Imene. Working behind the scenes are the Digital Service Fellows: Brandon and Tiani. I want to thank them for their help in working with the students as they wrote their scripts and practiced their speaking parts. They also worked with Imene, who produced the theme song.
I'm hoping that some of the students will add comments to this post, and describe how they feel, now that they are published podcasters.
I'm already looking forward to the next episode. I want the students to take more responsibility for the work, including some of the editing. I also hope that eventually, they'll work with some of the podcasters from last year (elementary school students) and collaborate on their podcast episodes.
But for now, we want to celebrate the successful posting of this episode, which is Communicast 7. To access the podcast, please go here:
http://podcast.phila.k12.pa.us
or here:
http://podcast.phila.k12.pa.us/weblog/440_communicast/
As the students said, "The podcast is in, and we're out!!"
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Staying Focused
The original target date to publish our first podcast episode for this year was October 31. Unfortunately, we didn't meet our target. This was due to a lot of factors, but the most important thing is that we're still working on it, and we'll have a finished product soon. I'm at SPHS this morning, to record some new segments. We want to finish recording everything on Monday, November 10, and then put it all together and post it.
One of the major problems we ran into was that the various segments didn't fit together as well as we would have liked. That's why we're working to develop a focus for the episode. The other part of staying focused is to keep our eye on the task at hand. There have been so many activities going on, that it's been hard for all of us to devote the necessary time to get this project completed.
So, now that the World Series (Go Phillies!) and the elections (Congratulations, Barack Obama!) are behind us, maybe it'll be easier to stay focused on our podcast project.
One of the major problems we ran into was that the various segments didn't fit together as well as we would have liked. That's why we're working to develop a focus for the episode. The other part of staying focused is to keep our eye on the task at hand. There have been so many activities going on, that it's been hard for all of us to devote the necessary time to get this project completed.
So, now that the World Series (Go Phillies!) and the elections (Congratulations, Barack Obama!) are behind us, maybe it'll be easier to stay focused on our podcast project.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Successes and Challenges
Yesterday, I facilitated a 3 hour session on podcasting with members of the Digital Service Fellows (DSF) Digital Media Team. This was a lot of fun, and the team members learned the basics of podcasting. For most of them, working in GarageBand was relatively new, but since these team members already have a lot of technology skills and knowledge, they understood the concepts quickly.
The culminating activity for them was to produce a short, enhanced podcast of their own. It was great to see the look of pride and accomplishment on their faces as they shared their work.
As a result of this training, plus additional time to practice their skills, they will be able to work with teachers and students in the district who are working on podcasts. This can be a real bonus to our podcast program, having additional support persons in the field. I want to thank their coordinator, Crista, for inviting me to work with them.
The challenge I faced this week was time, or the lack of it. I wasn't able to get to South Phila. HS today to record more segments for our first podcast episode for this year. My goal is to get there twice next week. We have a lot to do to get this first episode ready.
The culminating activity for them was to produce a short, enhanced podcast of their own. It was great to see the look of pride and accomplishment on their faces as they shared their work.
As a result of this training, plus additional time to practice their skills, they will be able to work with teachers and students in the district who are working on podcasts. This can be a real bonus to our podcast program, having additional support persons in the field. I want to thank their coordinator, Crista, for inviting me to work with them.
The challenge I faced this week was time, or the lack of it. I wasn't able to get to South Phila. HS today to record more segments for our first podcast episode for this year. My goal is to get there twice next week. We have a lot to do to get this first episode ready.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Different View - The Student Perspective
Several of the student podcasters have placed comments on this blog. I want to thank them for their positive messages about their experiences. It's great to be able to have them express and share their points of view, which is one of the reasons this blog exists.
I'll be back at the school on Friday, October 17, for another recording session. We need to accomplish a lot during the next two recording sessions to be able to meet our goal of publishing the first episode during the month of October. So, my message to the podcasters reading this is to be prepared, and practice, practice, practice!
I'll be back at the school on Friday, October 17, for another recording session. We need to accomplish a lot during the next two recording sessions to be able to meet our goal of publishing the first episode during the month of October. So, my message to the podcasters reading this is to be prepared, and practice, practice, practice!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Online Collaboration and Communication
On Wednesday, October 8, I set up a wiki, which I hope the student podcasters will use to keep a record of which podcast segments they've already recorded, as well as writing down their ideas for future podcast segments. In order to make sure that everything written on the wiki is on topic and appropriate, I've set it up so only Ms. Howard and I can sign in to edit the page. I asked Ms. Howard if she would supervise the students as they make entries on the page.
Here's a link to the wiki: http://originalpodfather.wikispaces.com/
As the students demonstrate that they are able to make posts appropriately, we may decide to give them access to the site. But since this is a work in progress, we want to take one step at a time. I don't know the students well enough to know their level of maturity. I hope that they will demonstrate responsibility and earn the right to make edits directly onto the wiki page.
I also asked Ms. Howard to have her students add some comments to this blog. We want them to record their feelings about the process so far. This is also a way for them to provide input about the podcast.
I'd like to turn this into a project where the students collaborate online as they work on creating and producing the podcast.
Here's a link to the wiki: http://originalpodfather.wikispaces.com/
As the students demonstrate that they are able to make posts appropriately, we may decide to give them access to the site. But since this is a work in progress, we want to take one step at a time. I don't know the students well enough to know their level of maturity. I hope that they will demonstrate responsibility and earn the right to make edits directly onto the wiki page.
I also asked Ms. Howard to have her students add some comments to this blog. We want them to record their feelings about the process so far. This is also a way for them to provide input about the podcast.
I'd like to turn this into a project where the students collaborate online as they work on creating and producing the podcast.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Getting Started
Yesterday was our first recording session with the students from South Philadelphia High School. I met Ms. Howard and her students in the computer lab. We then went to the library, where Ms. Howard has a separate room already set up as a TV studio. Her students have a morning announcement program on closed-circuit TV, so we'll be able to use that room as a quiet place for recording the podcast segments.
Before we began, some ground rules were set, including no chewing gum while recording, and keeping quiet in the room as others are recording. We also discussed what to do if a mistake was made...just go back to the beginning of that sentence and begin again. I explained that we can edit out any mistakes.
A young lady named April agreed to be the first to record. We started by having her test the microphone, so we could check the sound levels. She did a great job projecting her voice. I showed her the differences in the audio wavelengths in the GarageBand window as she raised and lowered her voice. These visual cues can help the students as they become more adept at using the equipment.
By the end of the hour, we had 5 segments recorded. That's quite an accomplishment! I want to congratulate April, Joshua, Shaheed, Stacey, and Jasmon for their efforts. All of them had their material prepared, and did their best recordings. I'm looking forward to working with them again, as well as the other students who will be participating. I'll be back on Wednesday, October 15. We have a tight deadline to try and get the first episode published by the end of October. Will we make it? Only time will tell!
Before we began, some ground rules were set, including no chewing gum while recording, and keeping quiet in the room as others are recording. We also discussed what to do if a mistake was made...just go back to the beginning of that sentence and begin again. I explained that we can edit out any mistakes.
A young lady named April agreed to be the first to record. We started by having her test the microphone, so we could check the sound levels. She did a great job projecting her voice. I showed her the differences in the audio wavelengths in the GarageBand window as she raised and lowered her voice. These visual cues can help the students as they become more adept at using the equipment.
By the end of the hour, we had 5 segments recorded. That's quite an accomplishment! I want to congratulate April, Joshua, Shaheed, Stacey, and Jasmon for their efforts. All of them had their material prepared, and did their best recordings. I'm looking forward to working with them again, as well as the other students who will be participating. I'll be back on Wednesday, October 15. We have a tight deadline to try and get the first episode published by the end of October. Will we make it? Only time will tell!
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