Podcasting+and+the+Blind

=Podcasting is a Cake Walk for the Visually Impaired. = Podcasting turns our text into talk, opening up the doors to students that are visually impaired. By podcasting or giving a voice to our classroom resources, books, and lessons that are text-based, students that are visually impaired are able to access and utilize the resources just like general education students. By podcasting, students can participate in certain aspects of class that benefit and enhance access to both the teacher and the student. Instead of a book report or poem being written in braille which limits the availability of the teacher to grade and understand, the book report and poem can be podcasted- a format that the teacher is more familiar with. Same works with involving the surrounding students in the classroom as well. I truly believe that peer editing a vital part of the writing process. Students enjoying reading and reacting to other student work in student conferences and self-esteem, along with unity, is built during this process.

By using a podcast and recording the paper, the visually impaired student is able to take part in that process of peer editing through (1) recording the original paper (2) listening and podcasting reactions and adjustments to peer papers. Instead of singling out the visually impaired child among the students in class, with a larger version of the daily resources or braille version which is sign of difference, a podcast could be created of the resource and an iPod- a familiar tool to all of the students, could be handed over. No longer do the tools have to be foreign and talked about in groups for difference, but looked at as, “well I want to have an iPod too.” To be completely inclusive, the class as a whole could use the podcast and then just refer back to text resource as needed in lesson.

With the software and resources available, podcasting for visually impaired students is a great way to break down social barriers and limits, enabling everyone to be involved in the discussion. With the aid of a computer and microphone, and a helping hand from staff, through podcasting, visually impaired students are activity involved in discussion, resources, and access to materials just like every other student. One specific example that shows how far this concept of podcasting with the blind can enhance the quality of life for a student is the music composition workshops using CakeTalking at Berkley. The professors of music use the specific software with their visually impaired music students, to produce original and remixed compositions- training them to create original musical pieces along with professional quality recording demonstrations for artist.

@http://www.dancingdots.com/prodesc/CakeTalkingForSONAR.htm Equal Access for Blind and Visually Impaired Students by Lesley Mahoney January 7, 2011 @http://www.berklee.edu/news/2671/equal-access-for-blind-and-visually-impaired-stu Learn Out Loud http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video#directory