Hi guys!
You sure read the title right, my last blog. Rather
than sobbing over its end, let’s just finish off with a normal blog post. Last
week I talked about Animoto. A super cool slideshow presentation tool that
allows you to create a short video with words, pictures videos and music! This
is a great tool if you have a presentation at school. In fact, I myself am
currently creating an Animoto video for one of my classes because I thought it
was a great way to get my point across all while keep the audiences attentions
with cool songs and pictures.
This week I am going to talk about a tool that
allows you to verbally present ideas rather than expressing your idea via
written formats. Webcasting is this tool.
Webcasting
= Podcasting?
Ya essentially webcasting is podcasting. It is like
a radio show that “you can listen to whenever you want!” according to CNN news’video. If you have read one of my other pages I briefly go over what a podcast
is and how it relates to digital learning. Go check the page out!
Much like blog, anybody can be a podcaster is it
interests them but it must be noted that they are a little more difficult to
use than other tools that I have shared with you. It requires you to (if you do
not already have it) download and acquire other tools to facilitate a podcast.
This includes a microphone or voice recorder and flash (a software for viewing
multimedia content).
Benefits
of Webcasting
A good thing about webcasting is that if you do not
have great writing skills, like myself, this tools is meant for you! It is also
useful for educational purposes because you can verbally communicate your
information rather than writing it. Thus, helping you practice
your presentation skills without actually going up and presenting to someone.
In saying that, this tool also helps build knowledge in public speaking whereby
you learn how to verbally communicate information. You also build knowledge in
voice management. You become more aware of the importance of your tone of voice
and the importance of keeping the listeners attention. The biggest benefit is
that you are gaining more knowledge about a new tool! Ever since I have used a
computer, I would always voice my opinion via written material; but now 10-15
years later here I am finally learning how to podcast.
Webcasting vs. other collaborative/communication tools
Like I mentioned before you are not writing the
information or your ideas. When you are writing information things might not be
taken in the right context (ie. “Let’s check it out!” could be interpreted as
me being happy and wanting to go check something out orrrr it could be
interpreted as me being angry and aggressive). Using something like soundcloud(a webcasting tool) allows your listeners to better understand the meaning
behind your words. However, this tool could be harder to follow. When writing a
blog you can have sub title making it easier for the reader to follow your
ideas but when talking the listener might get confused as to what you’re
talking about. Also depending on the person, having a more visual representation
might be easier for them rather than verbal representation. This tool is better
for on the go and hands free activities such as driving. You can download a
podcast on your phone then play it in your car while you are driving, where as
written stuff like blogs would disable you from doing certain tasks like
driving.
Webcasting and my PLE
I could put webcasting under sharing content; but I
would create two new sub titles called : written content and verbal content
where by Soundcloud would go under the verbal part. I would put it under this
theme because I am sharing information to listeners and communicating that
information via a verbal format. Speaking of communicating, I could also put it
under communication because like I said I am giving listener the opportunity to
listen to my opinions. They could also share their opinions via comments and by
sharing my content via other social media outlets.
And so, that concludes the last of my blog posts. I
hope I have given you some insight into digital literacy and the digital
worlds, as well as given you some helpful tools for collaborative use and
educational purposes.
Hope you have a great year!
Cheers.
