Fact or Fiction? Fifth graders created awesome podcasts in library class. Fact.
I got the inspiration to do a podcast with students after attending a MediaSmartRI workshop entitled, "Starting and Growing a Film Program in Your Library: Elementary Through High School." I originally wanted to do a Fact or Fiction video but realized it would have to wait until I generated funding for the equipment. But....a podcast production could happen this year with minimal purchases. And so it began!
Students in fifth grade researched a topic using the AskRI.org resources, World Book Online and EBSCO magazine databases. They also practiced using specific key words by searching for their topic on Google. Working in groups of 2-3, they picked three facts from their research, created one fake fact, and wrote a game show style podcast asking listeners to guess the fake fact.
To generate ideas on how to write the podcast, I showed the students an episode National Geographic's Real or Fake show.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/videos/real-or-fake/#real_or_fake__ep_2.mp4
We also listened to NPR's Bluff the Listener
http://www.npr.org/2014/11/22/365919868/bluff-the-listener (begin at 1:08-6:55)
For the recording piece, we used an iPad, iPad mini, or iPhone with the microphone and accompanying app, iRig Mic Cast. Although the iPads have a built in microphone, this mini external mic boosted the sound quality and was easy enough for students to use themselves after a one minute tutorial. For the iPad, we also used a tripod to keep it still and upright for recording. For the iPad mini and iPhone, we used the the adjustable desktop stand that comes with the iRig Mic.
Overall, I was amazed at the quality of the podcasts. The sound quality exceeded my expectations as did the creativity students used to write and perform their fact and fiction show.
Listen to our Fact or Fiction podcasts below:
Suzanne Jordan's original post can be found on the Francis School Library Blog.