Creating Podcasts

I just completed a project for my grad school class involving creating podcasts to improve reading fluency. First I downloaded Audacity, a free software, from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
After downloading, this software runs without being connected to the internet. I also purchased an inexpensive headset microphone. Not only does this eliminate any classroom background noise, but the students can listen to their podcast without disturbing others.
I examined the students' most recent fluency test scores, then had them read a grade level appropriate passage into the microphone while I recorded it using the Audacity program. I then saved it as a WAV file. (Another option is to save it as an MP3 file.) That way, you can play it on a computer that does not have the Audacity program. The children then listened to themselves and self-evaluated. The rest of the week, they practiced reading the same passage and recorded it again. Each podcast was used to obtain another fluency score of the words read correctly in one minute. The week concluded with a final fluency test. Every student involved in this activity continued to improve their fluency socres with every reading.
I found some research by Vasinda and McLeod (2011) in an article entitled "Extending Readers Theatre: A Powerful and Purposeful Match Wtih Podcasting" that supports repeated reading, podcasts and fluency. In this study, they did not test for fluency, rather they had the students create Reader's Theatre podcasts. These were highly motivating for the students and improved their fluency considerably. Additionally, they were posted online for family and friends to enjoy.
What a great and inexpensive way to improve your student's reading skills!