The Educational Podcast Directory is a website that serves as a repository for a variety of technology oriented resources for teachvers and instructional (technology) coaches. There are "how to" resources for teachers, as well as free downloadables. Instructional coaches have access to both materials and a networked community called "Masterminds". The primary author/organizer clearly has experience in a variety of venues that add tothe credibility of the resources.
Type of Material:
Presentation
Recommended Uses:
Individual learning and professional development
Technical Requirements:
browser and means to listen to audio
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Podcasts help users can learn about how podcasting can:
support teaching and learning
be used in content K-16
aid in technology integration
The site allows users to learn more about podcasting and developing websites, support coaches in their work and provides an opportunity for coaches to participate in a network of professionals.
Target Student Population:
Grade School, Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional, Pre-K
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Varied-Basic info for teachers; Basic to advanced info for coaches
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Clear descriptions of and links to podcasts
Content for two audiences (teachers and instructional coaches)
"How to" resources seem user-friendly
Founder appears to have strong credentials and has shared his knowledge in many national and recognized venues
Some podcasts offer insight into teaching approaches as well as educational technology insight. Materials available for pre-service through in-service teachers.
Concerns:
Not clear if there is a peer-review process prior to uploads.
Pull down menu for topics-many topics yield no results
Unclear what the (#) signify next to the topics listed in the directory
While there are opportunities for podcasters to upload their materials, it is unclear whether or not there is a mechanism for screeening or reviewing content
advertised as "teachers helping other teachers"; however, it seems very focused on instructional technology coaches
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
"How to" podcasts seem like they'd be very helpful for teachers with only basic skills in developing podcasts or websites
Many resources available for instructional coaches
Options available to request help or information
Since it primarily includes resources for professional development, teachers and coaches can select to learn more about areas of interest or need
Concerns:
Requires searching to locate what might be of interest in focused content or grade level.
Since it is a directory, it seems like the pull down menu/organization of the podcsts should be more intuitive and accurate
Reviewers wondered whether or not some of the info was too basic for intended audience
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Helpful broad categories on the main page and subsequent pages
Descriptions of podcasts and links to them for those not developed by the founder
Podcasts appear to have good audio and visual quality
Presentations are accessible via closed captioning
Concerns:
User needs to click the information tiles to gain more insight into materials within each podcast.
Unclear if this would be a repository that teachers would repeatedly or on a more limited basis
Organization of pull down menu needs attention to that it consistently generates results in the identified categories
The claim "by teachers for teachers" seems somewhat misleading since so many of the reosurces are geared to instructional technology coaches, even though they are technically teachers
Multiple pictures of Jeff Bradbury on so many pages felt "overdone"
Other Issues and Comments:
Uses cookies
Creative Commons:
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