Podcasting+for+the+Hearing+Impaired

Web 2.0 tools are revolutionizing the classroom. These tools are being used to introduce technology into the classroom in a fun and intersting way in hopes that students might gain the necessary 21st century skills needed in the work force. However, students that are hearing impaired are at a disadvantage when it comes to Web 2.0 technology. Podcasting is a tool teachers can use to explain a lesson via the internet or in the classroom. It is a technology tool that is designed to make learning easier for the student and the teacher. It is also a valuable tool if a student is absent from class or needs more clarification on a lesson. The teacher can make a Podcast about a lesson that enables a student to refer back to the podcast when ever a student needs more clarification because they can look up a teachers podcast on the internet and be able to listen to the lesson or the explination of a unit and can understand the lesson more clearly. But what happens if the student is hearing impaired. That student is unable to listen to the podcast because they can not hear it. There are a few useful tools for the hearing impaired to help make podcasting easier. The first tool is called [|BrainPop]. It is an online site for students that has podcasts, of multiple subjects, with closed captioning so that the hearing impaired student can learn from the podcasts. Another tool is called [|Magpie](Media Access Generator). This is a downloadable tool that helps add closed captioning to podcasts. This tool enables teachers to reach all students when working with podcasting so that every student understands the pod cast and can understand the teachers lessons. Podcasting is an invaluable tool that makes lessons easier to understand and adding these new tools for the hearing impaired, now all students can benefit from a podcast