Podcasting

This year I am attempting to podcast with my students. Last year I started teaching myself how to use Audacity. Audacity is a free download that allows the user to record them on a PC. If you are a Mac user, I would use Garage Band.

Audacity was frustrating in the beginning. I had to teach my students how to hold a microphone and how to speak into it. It sounds easy, but it took more than a couple times. This year I learned from my mistakes from last year. I started the year off holding the microphone and showing the students what happens when you yell into it. I replayed the recording and by the end my students had their ears covered. It is important to show the students to speak softly into the microphone.

I recorded my student reading their first class book: "A my name is...". I held the microphone for them and one by one the students came up and read their page. It was important for the students sitting to sit quietly because the microphone does pick up background noises. One time, the students did become restless and we did hear them in the background. I replayed the part and show them how important it is to be polite when your friends are recording.

After recording the podcast, I went in and deleted some the long pauses in between students. The students were memorized when we listened. They thought it was neat to hear them on the computer. If anyone has any questions about Audacity, I would be happy to help you.

Download a_my_name_is_book_scholastic.mp3

Comments

[Andrea of JustOneMoreBook! KidLit Podcast]

Hey, Christina,

We'd love it if you would send us your own and/or your students thoughts (via voice mail or .mp3 file) on a favourite children's book so we can include your audio in our show.