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| Reviewed: |
Mar 25, 2008 by Teacher Education |
| Overview: |
This element of the International Reading Association website presents eleven podcasts, including four presentations by national literacy leaders, on various aspects of reading instruction. |
| Learning Goals: |
Practicing teachers as well as pre-service teachers can access audio coaching in effective ways to increase reader vocabulary, support writing across the curriculum, using phonics, and using phrasing for fluency. They will also have access to current thoughts of leaders in the field on issues related to reading instruction and assessment. |
| Target Student Population: |
Materials in the podcasts cover the spectrum of k-12 reading instruction from beginning reading instruction, to support of adolescent readers and writing across the curriculum. Materials will support practicing teachers as well as pre-service teachers at the graduate or undergraduate level. |
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
A basic understanding of the principles of reading instruction. |
| Type of Material: |
Collection of Reference Materials |
| Recommended Uses: |
These podcasts can be used to support individual learning, to augment pre-service instruction in large or small groups, and to support professional development for practicing teachers as foundations for discussions about effective strategies and practices for teaching reading. |
| Technical Requirements: |
Internet connection (dial-up not recommended)and an audio player plugin such as QuickTime or a free subscription to iTunes are required. Adobe Reader is also needed to access research base materials. Material can be accessed via computer or iPod. |
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| Strengths: |
Content of all podcasts is well researched and documented and offers a variety of topics within the field. The podcasts are generally jargon-free and should be strong learning tools for multiple levels of reading teachers and student teachers. The topics are all current. The podcasts are sponsored by the International Reading Association; the presenters have good "radio voices." |
| Concerns: |
The podcasts are an audio-only format and will serve strong audio learners well, but may prove not as useful for those who prefer print or other visual media or for those who prefer to learn by doing. Additionally, some of the podcasts are delivered in a slow, level, and unchanging voice pattern that may challenge some listeners to remain actively engaged.
Learners, other than auditory learners, may not be able to gain a high level of knowledge from the podcasts. The podcast information is available in PDF format for a fee. |
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
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| Strengths: |
The podcasts present knowledge for teaching reading at a variety of teaching levels, such as elementary, middle grades, and high school. When used in higher education reading method courses, the teacher candidates should be able to implement the reading content and strategies. The podcasts would work well in a reading method course after the teacher candidates have some basic knowledge of reading content and teaching strategies. The four podcasts on current issues of reading could be very useful in initiating discussions as part of professional development programs. |
| Concerns: |
The small number of podcasts currently available limits their use in a comprehensive program of reading instruction. Hopefully more will be added. |
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
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| Strengths: |
An iPod or MP3 player will extend the opportunities for using the podcasts, but will not limit other users' access since podcasts can be accessed from any computer having Internet access and an audio playback program. The audio is clear and well-modulated. The current topics lend themselves to multiple uses and would be easy to work into many lessons for student teachers to stimulate discussion as well as practice. |
| Concerns: |
Instructors and students would need to download QuickTime to play the recorded mp3 recordings.
The podcast information is available as articles or book in the PDF format. There is a concern about the fee to download the articles. The download pages for the articles state: "The material you are trying to view is available only to subscribers, or by purchase of a downloaded file." The books are also available to purchase online. Some college libraries will have subscriptions that allow students to access the material without paying a fee. |
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| Other Issues and Comments: |
The podcasts are an innovative approach to stimulate the exploration of a variety of reading teaching strategies and to encourage professional exploration and dicussion of current topics in the field. Hopefully future podcasts productions will include greater voice inflections on the part of the presenters to stimulate active listening. |
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