Lockdown Podcasting

I realize that I have written about Podcasting and Jail, but I have not written about Podcasting in Jail. It’s quite an experience!

This is the first Podcasting program that I have facilitated at Jail North. I was thrilled that Jail Administration was allowing me to conduct this program at all. People are starting to catch on to the many benefits of Podcasting, but I was afraid that Jail Admin would not see it as a worthy inmate program. However, I was cleared for the program and I have been having a blast. Thank you, Jail North!

It is an interesting experience to facilitate a tech-heavy program with patrons that have spotty or non-existent computer skills. Using a mouse, recording on Audacity and exporting a file as an MP3 can be challenging. Many of my patrons do not have a point of reference for those activities. The digital divide is very apparent within facilities like a jail. However, somehow we are muddling through. Repetition is our friend. Saving and exporting a file is done the same way every time and the guys have caught on quickly. I learned a long time ago to not make patrons use the touch mouse on our laptops because that is difficult to maneuver. I supply a USB mouse for each computer, and the guys handle that fine. Interestingly, they are very helpful to each other and the guys that are a little more tech savvy help out the ones who need assistance. That is nice to see.

The guys enjoy Podcasting, but they also like the concept of Podcasting. I showed them the Podcasting directory on iTunes and they were amazed that there were so many Podcasts available and for free. I have played several Podcasts that have covered topics such as politics, movies, manners, and sports. As we listen to the Podcast, we talk about what we like and don’t like about them. The guys practice reading poetry and record themselves on Audacity. Anything by Maya Angelou is excellent to use as she has relatable work and her poems sound wonderful when spoken out loud. Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Lauren Hill are also great to use. We’ve recorded samples of Hamlet’s soliloquy, and next week I’m going to have them record the first four verses of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.

Along with technology skills, the guys are learning how to be better public speakers. They are critical of how they sound and work hard to ‘get it right,’ often re-recording a poem several times because they want to sound their best. I don’t know what opportunities these guys will have to Podcast when they are released, but I hope that they are able to utilize the skills that they have learned during the class.

And perhaps have an abiding love for the spoken word.

Delicious Podcasting: Why kids eat it up

This fall Outreach had the opportunity to partner with Villa Heights Elementary. One of the programs that teachers were interested in having the students do was Podcasting. What is Podcasting and how do you use it with library patrons?

Well, here is a quick definition. As for library use, I think you’ll find that Podcasting is an excellent library program that works well with books, literacy, and technology….essentially all the things that we want people to associate with public libraries.

For this adventure I worked with the three 5th grade classes at Villa Heights. The teachers and I decided to have students pick their favorite book (or graphic novel or magazine) and Podcast about it. The program lasted for four weeks, each session lasting about 45 minutes. The first three sessions were Learn & Play days. Students were introduced to the concept of Podcasting, how to work the software, and then practiced their Podcasts. I had them play around with interviewing a partner and doing an individual Podcast. By the fourth and final session the students felt comfortable using the computers, had decided on either an interview Podcast or an individual Podcast and had a literary subject to talk about. Some students had scripts, some just winged it on their book talks, but the end result was nothing short of fabulous. What did Podcasting teach the kids?

1. Students learned how to navigate a new program and create MP3 files. Students also were exposed to new software, or gained a better understanding of programs they had previously used.

Programs used for the project were three free programs: Audacity, LAME, and iTunes.
However, you can use any combination of audio recording programs and digital media players. These are the ones that work for me.

2. Students utilize the library to find their Podcast subject, and the Podcast create a new forum for young readers to enjoy their books. After all, the Podcast is their opinion of the book they are reading. What better way to get students to discuss books and actually read them than asking their opinion?
3. This program also subtly fine tunes student public speaking and presentation skills. Students get to instantly hear what they sound like when they listen to their Podcast. Usually the first few efforts aren't very good. They talk too fast, stumble over words, lose their train of thought, and pepper their Podcast with “Uhh’s” and “Umm’s.” There is no better critique for students than listening to their own Podcasts. Usually it prompts students to work harder, to speak clearly and organize their booktalk so they sound more professional. Often times they will improve on their own because they want to do a good job. Having an example Podcast of both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ speakers at the beginning of class also help students get a feel for what makes an enjoyable Podcast.

The program has ended and now I am burning CDs for the kids to take home. I know, I know, CDs are so passé. This is a one time, extra mile service that I am offering to the school. Villa Heights has been a wonderful school to partner with, so I am happy to give them a CD for their efforts. However, in all future partnering I will burn the final Podcast to a student’s MP3 player or email the file. I also have plans to create a channel on several Podcasting directories, so that will grant access to everyone.

I am booked to use the Podcasting program at another elementary in the spring, and Villa Heights want to do the program for the 4th grade. I also intend to take it to Jail North with the youth offenders and turn it in to a poetry/ Podcasting class. We might do some Podcasting at Urban Ministries too. I think they would love it.

Check out this article here to see how a teacher uses Podcasting in their classroom, and click here for some wonderful guidelines from YALSA about creating and promoting your Podcast.

Now, go out there and dish up this delicious program!