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!

Beatnik Cafe, Simply Science, and Away Games

Beatnik Cafe
Originally uploaded by toran23

May has been a busy month. Recently I have started offering several of my portable workshops to teachers as a classroom visit. My portable school programs are simply library programs that have worked in the branches and I take them on the road. If ImainOn is my home court, then the portable school programs are the away games.
Currently I offer Beatnik Café and Simply Science and they have both proved very popular with both students and teachers. Beatnik Café is a poetry program (obviously). As you have guessed by the title, Beatniks are part of the formula. I dress up in black, wear a beret and play the bongos while reciting poems. After my antics have loosened up the kids, I encourage them to come up and read a poem while I accompany on the bongos. Sometimes the kids read poems they have written; sometimes they use one of the many poetry books I bring and find inspiration there. I always bring an extra set of bongos and have an assistant bongo player. Then I hand over my bongos to an eager student and keep the Café moving. By the end of the program all of the kids (even the shy ones) have either read or poem or played a bongo. Sometimes the teachers jump in. I wrap up the program with a plug for the 811 poetry section in non-fiction. The kids leave thinking how cool the library is. Can you dig it, man?
Simply Science is a great hands-on program that introduces basic science concepts to kids. It started as a workshop I did for teachers and then I realized that it could be easily adjusted for a classroom visit. I keep the experiments simple. For example; baking soda and vinegar mixed together make a cold reaction (endothermic) and peroxide and yeast make a hot reaction (exothermic). Discuss. I made a nifty little Science Notebook that the kids can use to record their observations and hypothesis. I end the class with a reference to the 500’s science section, a list of cool science books, and a hopefully a burning thirst for more science knowledge.
The sad thing is that many of the kids have not been to their local library. Sure they know that there is a library filled with books, but why would they want to go there? What can the library possible offer them? Well, it can tell you more about rockets and exothermic reactions, for one thing. Not to mention the plethora of awesome, FREE programs that are offered, for any age group.
This interests the kids. They have rockets at the library? Beatniks too? So the library is….kind of cool?
It’s the problem of the modern librarian: We offer these fabulous, free programs that are just as spectacular as video games (and some of them are video games) but we need to get the word out that This Is Not Your Momma’s Library. Kids are welcome, we are here for you.
Now I don’t really care if kids think librarians are cool, but I do care if they think the library is relevant. And I think that the away games are a great way to do that.
I have one more Simply Science tomorrow, then I’m winding down for the summer. However, I already have several requests for the fall and I am developing new away games (literacy games, anyone?) that hopefully will continue to delight young patrons.
If anyone would like the write ups for Simply Science or Beatnik Café, leave a comment and I will be happy email them to you. I also send the teachers evaluations, so I can send the template with the program. As always, feel free to use and adjust.