Using Podcasts in the classroom

I was truly impressed with all that I have seen with Podcasts. I have really been thinking that this would be a great tool to introduce to the students and see where they can go with it. I think I would like to do a video and audio podcast. I would like it to be like a mini news team or something like that. The grade that I am interesting in doing this would be my current teaching grade, which is 3rd. I have taught this grade for 5 years and feel very comfortable with it. Also, this has been the first year that I have really integrated more technology into the classroom. Right now I have my students logging onto an educational social network and we do various discussions, quizzes, and assignments. So I think podcasting can be my next endeavor. I think that I would tailor this more as a student-centered podcast. I would like to use this during my reading block. I would have students making their own mini lessons over the topic that was taught. I think it would be great for them to do the recap of the lesson and even incorporate the centers and posters we did. In addition, I would like them to interview other students to see what they got from the whole lesson. Next, I would have them check in at the various Reader’s Workshop stations and have each group do a Podcast of what they are working on for that week’s workshop center. Of course, we would do several guided podcasts together until they got the hang of it. Then, we would begin to upload them on our class webpage. Plus, this would give any child, who is absent, a chance to see what they missed without missing out on all the activities.