Geez, where to begin to complete my assignment tonight about using podcasting in the most difficult topic that I can imagine in mathematics?
In elementary school there are so many students who never learn the multiplication facts, which, in effect, cripples them throughout mathematics for the rest of their public school careers.
In middle school, coupled with their handicap of not knowing the multiplication tables, is a lack of "number sense" about fractions, which they try to interpret as they do whole numbers. Their lack of fraction sense handicaps them in measurement concepts, which are basic to both algebra and geometry.
In high school students can "dodge the bullet" with their deficiency in mastery of multiplication facts since they have access to calculators. But the deficiency has closed the window of opportunity in developing a solid basis in algebra and geometry in middle school. Even with the use of calculator for number facts their basic understanding is underdeveloped. Their lack of number sense in dealing with fractions is compounded by so many other deficiencies that have become crucial in algebra and geometry.
So finding a way to use podcasting to help with the learning of math facts in third grade would go a long way in heading off lots of other math problems.
So how to use it? Perhaps students could develop their own raps to help memorize facts. What about demonstrating number patterns with the Hundreds Chart? that would develop a bit of number sense as well. Perhaps students could develop games that required knowledge of the facts to play.