Using podcasts and videos in lesson plans

Listening to podcasts and downloading videos has become an everyday thing since the advent of the iPod. Teaching with podcasts and online videos, however, is at the cutting edge. And, best of all, it’s a lot more simple than it sounds.

Podcasts and videos can be used to provide first-hand insight from topic experts, test students on verbal skills and expand opportunities for student creativity.

There are three main ways to use podcasts and videos:

Download existing videos and podcasts

There are lots of great podcasts and videos out there that can be used as is. For starters, ORVSD has a complete library of podcasts mapped to state standards. If you find a great one somewhere else, make sure to share it with other teachers at ORVSD.

Create your own videos and podcasts

All you need to create your own podcasts is a computer, a microphone and recording software. Recording software is available for free online (one example is Audacity). Videos can be done easily with a digital camera or with a computer camera. Record a podcast of yourself to give students an example to follow, or shoot an instructional video for a classroom experiment. Students can review them as many times as they want.

Have students create videos and podcasts

Get the creative juices flowing! Recording software and digital cameras are easy for students to use (sometimes it’s easier for them, than for us!). Assign a project where students work in teams to record a video report or ask students to respond to questions individually with a podcast.

Have an idea for using podcasts or videos? SHARE it. »