This is the eBook version of the printed book. PODCASTING FOR TRAINERS AND Educators (A Digital SHORTCUT) By Nandini Shastry and David Gillespie In many ways, trainers, educators, professors, teachers, instructors, SMEs or course developers — whatever your title may be, if you are responsible for any knowledge transfer process — you are the people leading the way for corporations and educational institutions to forge into the new century. By learning about new technologies and learning and adapting them to our workplaces and our personal lives, we change the mindset, not to mention the productivity of the lives of those around us. At one time, it was the IT Department who were considered “First Tier Adopters” when it came to technology. Now, educators of all types have stepped into this role as well — we must learn it before we can teach it. It is our belief that podcasting is the next wave of technology that corporations and educational institutions can immediately use to solve a host of training and business problems. This book aims to show you, the educator — whatever your title may be, how. You’ll learn · what podcasting is · how to use it · what tools you’ll need (free or inexpensive tools as well) · how to leverage podcasts in your own place of work · and much more in easy to understand, non-technical terms You’ll also find in this book · simulation tutorials and demos · free resources · free templates · sample communications for buy-in at your place of work · video testimonials from existing trainers, teachers and professors Dave and I have been involved in the areas of teaching, training and knowledge management for many years. Dave has taught at the university level and both of us have much experience with instructor led training, e-learning and a wide variety of tools from Macromedia Breeze and Captivate to Microsoft SharePoint and Live Meeting. We are excited about the possibilities that podcasting brings and we invite you to join us in exploring this new technology. You can reach Dave or me at [email protected] at any time and we will be happy to talk with you in person. You’ll find hyperlinks in this e-book to all type of resources and examples all over the Net.

"Few other technological developments have the same potential for transforming teaching and learning as podcasts … This step by step guide can help the fledgling podcaster take the first few steps to using podcasts and can encourage those already dabbling to improve their practices by understanding underlying principles … I can only urge you to give it a go." Dr Stephen Gomez, National Teaching Fellow and Principal Lecturer, University of the West of England, UK "With podcasting now really taking flight, this highly practical book is just what teaching practitioners need. It is refreshingly accessible in its use of language, making it suitable for those of us that don't know our vodcasting from our podcasting." Dr Gwen van der Velden, Director of Learning and Teaching Enhancement, University of Bath, UK "Podcasting is now at a tipping point and ready to provide universal 24/7 access to learning. This book provides the background and an invaluable "how to" guide … It deserves to be in every library and faculty office." Dr Bill Ashraf, Director of Technology Enhanced Learning, University of Sussex, UK "Given the dominance of text-based formats, this timely book demonstrates that media-diversification is a MUST.." Dr Thomas Hülsmann, Program Director of the Master of Distance Education (MDE), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Germany "'Podcasting made easy' - does that sound like a contradiction in terms? Well now you don't have to struggle with the technicalities because this book really does describe how easy it is to create and utilize podcasting in teaching … I thoroughly recommend it…" TingTing Zeng, Learning Technologist, Imperial College, UK "While the book is a mine of information, both pedagogical and practical, it is the hands-on aspect that captured my heart. Clearly written by experts, the process of creating podcasts is described in an easy-to-understand, practical way that is accessible to novice and experienced podcast author alike … If you've been toying with the idea of podcasts, this is for you. If you've tried the basics and want to go the next step, this is for you. How to create Podcasts for Education will not merely be on your bookshelf; I predict that it will be well-thumbed!" Ruth Brown, Academic Developer, Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit, London South Bank University, UK Further information on the theory and practice of podcasting can also be accessed on the dedicated website at www.podcastingforlearning.com.

The Power to Save a Life Jacob Chastain grew up in an environment filled with drugs and violence. Inside the home that should have felt safe, fear and anxiety were the desperate norm. Stability and security eluded him as he was shuffled between family and friends that would take him in. But at school, things were different. There, day after day, year after year, Chastain's teachers saved him. Teach Me, Teacher is the true story of a childhood marked by heartache--a story that may be similar to that of the children sitting in your classroom. It's the story that shaped Jacob Chastain into the educator he is today. Lessons learned from his experiences as a child and as a growing educator offer reflections on the trials and triumphs facing teachers and students everywhere. From these lessons, we learn that one's darkest moments can ultimately lead to a meaningful and fulfilling life when someone cares enough to step in and make a difference. Written in celebration of teachers and the power of education, Teach Me, Teacher affirms that you have the power to save a life. "Jacob Chastain pours his heart out on the pages of Teach Me, Teacher by sharing his personal journey through childhood trauma. His message that "action is the antidote to suffering" is a powerful reminder to us all to do more, be more, understand more, and care more for our students." --Kim Bearden, co-founder and executive director, The Ron Clark Academy, author of Talk to Me "Teach Me, Teacher is one of the most courageous, heartbreaking, hopeful books I've ever read." --Regie Routman, author of Literacy Essentials "Jacob Chastain's raw honesty is something that we need more of in the education world." --Halee Sikorski, A Latte Learning "Teach Me, Teacher is both an uplifting memoir and a message to all of us in education of the power we have to build relationships and make a difference for all of our students." --Dr. Sue Szachowicz, senior fellow, Successful Practices Network "Jacob Chastain takes us on a transformational journey where past and present converge into possibility. His story of resilience and hope is a celebration of the impact each of us can have when professional purpose leads the way." --Dr. Mary Howard, author of Good to Great Teaching

Podcasting 101 for Training and Development Podcasting can help you revolutionize the way you deliver training. This groundbreaking book provides an innovative approach to designing and developing podcasts that can improve employees' productivity by providing them with easy-to-access up-to-date information. The book is designed to help you to decide if podcasting is the right solution for the business challenge that your organization is facing, and then guide you to make the right decisions in selecting the software and hardware that you will use to create your podcasts. Podcasting 101 for Training and Development includes critical information about the legal issues surrounding podcast development, contains an approach to developing podcasts that will ensure that your podcasts make a positive business impact, and teaches you how to plan, record, edit, and publish a training podcast. "Timely and relevant, Podcasting 101 for Training and Development is required reading for anyone interested in realistic cost-effective strategies for delivering rapidly changing content to an increasingly mobile-enabled workforce. Kaliym strikes a perfect balance between visionary thinking and practical application." --Tai Goodwin, principal lead, Learning Media "This book introduces not only a great media, but a great approach for developing and deploying podcasts in a training environment. Podcasting 101 for Training and Development is a must read for any training manager who must deploy frequently changing training programs to a distributed workforce." --Herman C. Thomas, deputy director for technical training, New York City Housing Authority

Why you need a writing revolution in your classroom and how to lead it The Writing Revolution (TWR) provides a clear method of instruction that you can use no matter what subject or grade level you teach. The model, also known as The Hochman Method, has demonstrated, over and over, that it can turn weak writers into strong communicators by focusing on specific techniques that match their needs and by providing them with targeted feedback. Insurmountable as the challenges faced by many students may seem, The Writing Revolution can make a dramatic difference. And the method does more than improve writing skills. It also helps: Boost reading comprehension Improve organizational and study skills Enhance speaking abilities Develop analytical capabilities The Writing Revolution is as much a method of teaching content as it is a method of teaching writing. There's no separate writing block and no separate writing curriculum. Instead, teachers of all subjects adapt the TWR strategies and activities to their current curriculum and weave them into their content instruction. But perhaps what's most revolutionary about the TWR method is that it takes the mystery out of learning to write well. It breaks the writing process down into manageable chunks and then has students practice the chunks they need, repeatedly, while also learning content.

A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection