Workshop 3

I am currently playing with the idea of using a form of podcasting to give feedback on student work. Traditionally, I have used a rubric and have made additional comments as necessary. My experiment is to read certain sections of student essays and to give verbal feedback. If this plan works, it can serve as a model to students on how to complete mature peer critiques. Some drawbacks to the experiment may include the need to give grades but not to give the grade over the podcast. To keep academic honesty and respect for my students, I will still need to complete some sort of written report. I hope to give the best feedback possible without creating too much extra work for me.
Another element for research is the Mac component of podcasting. I think that there is a way to attempt something similar on a PC. I don’t have a Mac, and will need something that works on both systems.
Podcasts can potentially be a great tool to support critical thinking and the art of discussion. My students are not masters at giving constructive feedback. They will either note that a piece is generally “good”, but they are unable to express why. Or they will comment on their feeling when reading, but do not have the descriptive ability to focus their comments on specific tasks and skills. I hope that podcasting recording element will help students to be more reflective and assertive in their work.