Web 2.0 Resources to Promote Cross-Cultural Awareness and Connections
Podcasts
Creating Podcasts are a great way for students to voice their ideas. A podcast is a voice recording, and existing ones cover all sorts of topics. They are akin to on demand radio on the internet. One could find a podcast that reviews video games, or teaches one how to cook. Podcasts can be easily created with programs such as Voicethread, Audacity, Garageband and Voki. They can be shared through links, emails, posted on websites, and more.
If students are new to creating podcasts, Voki is a great place to begin. Voki allows students to create little avatars (anything from a humanoid to a silly monster), and then add their voice to it. Students can add their voice via microphone, telephone, or even use the text to speech function. This creates an inclusive experience for students of all abilities and ages. It can also help those students who may be intimidated to speak in front of others. The only drawback of using Voki is that since the platform is flash based, it does not function on most mobile devices.
Podcasts are an easy, free, and fun way to share experiences with the world through spoken word. When coupled with social media, students can share their ideas with a large global audience. Creating podcasts can challenge students to think critically and reflect on various topics. One lesson idea could be to have students create a podcast that explains how to make a recipe that is unique to their family or culture. Students could then share these recipes with one another, and the global community, giving insight into the culinary nuances that exist between different cultures and peoples.
