Podcasts (The best kept secret - and I hate secrets)

So we still have a few weeks until the Podcasting section of our class, but I went ahead and looked up the podcast idea and information through Google, which took me to Wikipedia which gave me some great information. I was suprised at how many podcasts were avaialble and the subjects...
For instance: I am an English Major. For years I have been learning how to write a great paper. I have learned the differences in expectations between teachers. I have honed my skills in configuring a compelling thesis statement and I can make anything a great topic sentence. However, I watched 3 podcasts on good storytelling called Ira Glass on Storytelling #1, #2, #3.
I learned that  when making a video story, I should never write the script like a paper. No thesis statement, no topic sentences, no summary. I would treat the script like an anectote.  A sequence of actions which ask a question (not literally, figuratively) and then an answer to the question. I will write to manipulate the work so that the viewer is always asking the next question, and then getting an answer.
Many times the sequence is great, but has a lousy moment of reflection. And other times, the outcome is exactly the opposite.
Ira Glass said "Failure is a big part of success". If you are not failing, you are not trying -- And one can never be afraid to try it out -- but kill it if it is crap.
He did say that almost everyone who is successful has good taste, but they do crappy work for years before they get it right. The only way to "get it right" is by doing it every day, work on a deadline -- even when you aren't being paid -- and that volume is the only thing that will close the gap between crappy work and the sublime.
Ira Glass is an NPR journalist who has been in the business for 30 years.
Addendum: The two students who shared with the class their podcast ideas did a great job. Itunes.com has a magnificent selection of Podcasts including language selections as well as many other learning resources.

Photo Sharing At it's finest

I signed up for flickr several weeks ago and downloaded some photos on to it, however the value of social photo sharing really came into play this week when I was preparing a power point presentation for my Multi Etnic Literature class. I needed some photos of Liberia and sure enough, there were several that I was able to use. I gave credit to the photographer either under the photo or at the end, but WOW, it was so simple and I didn't have to worry about getting myself into trouble.
Flickr Photo Sharing

Thursday 7/15 Last Official Blog for Ed 2500

Today I am completing the requirements for my blog. I will turn it in for my points this afternoon. It is almost bitter sweet, to coin a phrase, but I have learned a lot from this experience.
I had no idea that there was so much information out there for technology in education.
I learned about RSS feeds and other sites that keep me up to date, with daily information that will be pertinent as I get further and further into the teaching profession.
Second, I actually learned something about Wiki's. I hope I get the appropriate points on this topic, but I will admit that I never made any changes to any wiki sites and this is the reason why. I logged on and created my own account, but the reality is that I didn't feel like I had anything to contribute. If I felt like I was an expert on something, I wouldn't have a problem, but I am not... so I couldn't make a contribution.
The bookmark sharing was awesome. In fact, I was at the college library and needed a site I couldn't remember and sure enough, I had put it on my delicious site.
Photo sharing was pretty cool. I like the idea of a legal sharing site where I don't have to worry about whether it is ok for me to use and music as well.
Podcasts are not new for me however I didn't realize that I could download them on my computer for later use so that was very useful.
I will continue to work on this even though it will be turned in for the points.
Thanks Dr. Davis. This was a super informative class and I believe that my final tech-badge will be greatly improved from 4 weeks ago.