Thing 19

Compared to some of the programs and technologies we've been playing with, podcasting seems almost strangely normal. It's like the radio, on demand, except with a much wider variety of perspectives and producers. Never again will you have to hear the same Kid Rock song playing on three radio stations simultaneously.

Kids aren't supposed to have iPods or mp3-playing cell phones during the school day, and at present, we don't have the resources to produce our own podcasts (at least that I'm aware of). However, I found a couple of interesting programs and at the very least, can add them as links on my website. One is a series of podcasts that present middle school students' compositions. Created by Cranbrook students, the shows are posted at: http://www.cranbrookcomposers.com. We do listening and composition projects; I can easily see incorporating some of these students' podcasts as part of the lesson. I think it would be interesting for my students to hear what other kids their age have created.

Detroit JazzStage also has a series of podcasts featuring interviews and music highlighting the local jazz scene at http://www.jazzstageproductions.com. I'd have to surf more, but the existence of a podcast like this makes me wonder what other examples of professionally-played music might be out there for free listening besides radio streaming.

Lastly, I found a podcast called "Learn to Play the Digideroo" at http://echotree.tv. Without question, this is the most specialized podcast I discovered. The internet and the people who produce its content continue to amaze me...while it's not possible to have "seen it all;" the fat lady sung a long time ago (on YouTube, I'm sure...)!