Podcasting in the Early Childhood Classrom by Ilene R. Berson

There are a few points that I would like to highlight in this article.

1. "...when students create a podcast for class, they not only learn the content in a creative way, they learn 21st-century communication skills at the same time."

Educators are aware that we need to be teaching 21st century skills to all students k-12 in our schools. We need to move beyond what we have always done to teach content and look to our 21st century skills to teach the same content but in a 21st way.

2. "Even young children who had not yet developed basic writing skills enjoyed telling a story."

People whom work in the field of early childhood education are aware that children are natural storytellers. Even if a child is not yet capable of writing a story, they are more than capable of telling one. Pod casting is a beautiful way for early childhood students to create and tell a story.

3. "Students shift from being passive consumers of technology to producers of content.

This is the end goal. We are trying to create students that are doing and producing authentic intellectual work. Using 21st century skills to teach content engages students (we are speaking their language and telling them that what they are interested in is important). This engagement is what makes them create and produce authentic work.

Overview:
This is a wonderful article for administrators and librarians to use to help explain why using web 2.0 skills are essential. We have to use resources (such as this article) as a "buy-in" for teachers. If we don't convince the teachers, these skills (21st century) will not be taught or used. Technology is appropriate for all ages. It is our responsibility as parents and teachers to educator our young children how to appropriately use technology and become information seekers as well as authentic, intellectual creators.