Redbridge Podcasting Network began its development in July 2007.  There are three schools and the Redbridge Primary ICT consultant involved in the network: 

Manford Primary School- Lucy Haywood Fairlop Primary-  Nicky Palmer and Wendi Skinner Redbridge Primary School - Lynn Bailey and Rob Spriddle Anthony Evans- Primary ICT Consultant Click the above links to see examples of Podcasting in each school

The aims of the network were to discover:

What is effective Podcasting?

What is its value to teaching and learning?

We have achieved this through regular meetings, evaluating software, trialling ideas and sharing practice.  As you will see from the above examples  we have achieved our objectives.

 Benefits Podcasting brings to educating children
- it can motivate children to write (scripts)
- provides a real audience and a sense of achievement
- increases a child's self esteem
- it can be accessed by all
- it provides opportunities to share knowledge and experience
- it encourages collaboration and team work
- children develop the ability to adapt their speech (tone, vocabulary etc) according to the audience
- it is an excellent tool to develop speaking and listening skills (EMA)
- it builds childrens confidence now and for the future
- it enables children to overcome fears
- it provides a life skill; a tool for communication

There is no doubt that Podcasting must be purposeful.   Children need a purpose for doing podcasting, whether it is in the form of a weekly/termly news update, school sporting reports, sharing of specific work, experiences or events.  Make it real!! 

To see the how the network developed over the year visit our Network Blog on the following link:

www.redbridgepodcastingnetwork.blogspot.com