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CORT WAREHOUSE/DRIVER Education Assessment Technology, Inc Social Studies Content Writer General CORT Warehouse Supervisor Construction Komatsu Equipment Co Mechanic Health Care Rio Salado College PA's/Online Instructors NorthwestPodcasts take Amphi global> Recordings aim to inform High School's students, parents, community, but Beijing likes them, too <
Arizona Daily STAr
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.22.2007
Amphitheater High School has gone global.
All it took for people in Beijing, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Los Angeles and San Antonio to tap into information related to the high school was a podcast recorded by counselor Brian Corrigan.
Podcasts are audio and video recordings posted online by a podcaster, like Corrigan. People can subscribe to podcasts and listen to them using an iPod, an MP3 player, a computer or other similar device.
As of last week, the counseling department had six podcasts available to download on its Web site — www. amphi.com/schools/ahs/counseling. There is no fee to subscribe to the episodes, which feature Corrigan providing information relevant to the junior and senior classes, incoming freshmen and the National Honor Society.
Right now, 92 people have subscribed to Amphi's podcasts. Forty-two of those subscribers live in Beijing.
"Ideally, we want to get the communication out there to Amphi students and parents," Corrigan said. "Right now, it seems like everyone across the globe is listening. But we do want to focus more on getting the word out locally."
Corrigan recorded and uploaded his first podcast in February and intends to post episodes when pertinent information needs to be made available to students, parents and teachers.
By next fall, Corrigan anticipates other faculty and students will use the technology to open lines of communication and share information, he said.
When junior Griffen St. Clair posts his first podcast later this month for the school's library, he wants his fellow students to take an interest in the medium.
"I think it's a cool idea," St. Clair said about podcasting. "I am just a little worried about getting students to embrace it. I am going to try and put it upon myself to make it not boring."
St. Clair, 16, will record programs featuring book reviews and recommendations. His first podcast is dedicated to one of his favorite books, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky. The book is geared toward young adults and focuses on adolescent life.
"I think I have good taste in books," St. Clair said. "It would be fun to turn people on to new books to read."
Corrigan and assistant principal Bill Walther want podcasting to catch on with Amphi students.
Walther, who created a committee to explore the use of podcasts, envisions podcasts possibly fulfilling homework and test requirements.
"It is really absolutely unlimited," Walther said. "It's so incredibly simple. Ultimately all you need is a microphone for the most basic podcast."
Career Explorations and Transitions teacher Deanna Reynolds will adopt podcasts next fall to record class lectures.
"The kids today just really like using any type of new technology," Reynolds said.
As schools attempt to incorporate 21st century learning skills into their curriculum, Corrigan said, podcasting will put Amphi, which is at 125 W. Yavapai Road, ahead of the curve.
"With technology, once you let kids run with it, it's amazing what can be done," Corrigan said.
● Contact reporter Andrea Rivera at 806-7737 or arivera@azstarnet.com.
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