Tech Task 8- Podcasts

To find a podcast I wanted, I simply downloaded the app to my mobile device  Podcasts) on iTunes. The first podcast I came across was a one called " Bring your own Technology to school". This Podcast was done by a groups called ABC Splash Education. Most of the Podcast was done by Kalia Colston interviewing an individual who strongly believes in student bringing their own devices to school (BYOD).  The individual being interviewed was Jason Arutza, a director of ICT in Sydney, and wanting to bring a BYOD into his school. 

Bring your own Technology- the emphasis is on the normalization on student owned devices and the choice going to the families on what is appropriate to bring to school

At his school, they first allowed only Grade 11 and 12 students to bring their own technology into the schools. In 2012, the school started "bring your own iPad." He believes that bringing their own technology is all based on trust.

The proportion of schools that are involved in BYOD are several and he explains that it is rapidly growing. He explained 5 years ago, people were saying the pro- technology individuals were crazy to start doing this in schools. Now there are many schools implementing it into their schools and many that are transitioning into this concept. It is still early, but he believes there will be in a huge jump in 2015.

BYOD gets the student to actually bring a device they want to use in school, not a random mandated device that he may not know how to use. With BYOD learning is not only being done in the school, but also outside the school.

Jason strongly believes mobile phones can be used in school as long as three rules are followed. Proper classroom management, common courtesy, and common sense. They can be used for taking pictures of notes, videoing a class, etc.

To get technology policies rolling in schools, the community must get involved, and the communication has to be very clear and frequent.

These were the main points of the Podcast. It really interested me to hear someone talk about technology and the need for it in school. I remember when I was in high school, any type of technology  was forbidden. If it was found, it would be taken away in class and you would get it back at the end of the day. To here that there is finally a change happening in the eduction system and that people are getting on board with technology is great to hear. You can use any podcast in your classroom because of the endless archives and variety of podcasts there are out there. Just search up Fitness levels in Canadian education system if you are teaching gym and there is bound to be something that will show up. The nice thing about podcasts as well is that most of there podcasts are recent and up to date. 

Students could easily create their own podcast. An example lesson could be- A Health Unit in Physical Education. Each pair of students must create their own podcast on a certain aspect of health. It could range from "when do you know you are ready to have sex?" to " Why is smoking bad for you?" Giving the students this freedom and choice will help their creative side come out and engage them. Giving them the freedom to make their very own podcast would be exciting for them.