Partnership with RM Education
Collaboration promotes the use of podcasting for both teaching and learning
Califone International, Inc., and RM Educational Software, Inc., have formed a strategic partnership to promote the use of podcasting for both teaching and learning.
Podcasts provide new ways for students to interact with the content matter, as well as to demonstrate their learning. By creating podcasts, students can display and extend their creativity using audio as a means of self-expression. In addition, teachers can use podcasts to communicate regularly with parents by posting school updates on their Web site. They also can publish lesson guides in a podcast format to help students who many have missed sections, or who simply need reinforcement when completing homework assignments.
“Podcasting is empowering students to become producers of information instead of consumers,” said Tim Ridgway, VP of Marketing, Califone International, Inc. “In combination with RM Podium, users of the Califone MP3 Player can participate in and create activities easily and efficiently, including science projects, book reports, interviews, homework, school news, professional development training sessions, and more.”
“RM Podium was designed specifically for teachers and students. It provides an easy way to script, create, edit, publish, and promote podcasts,” said Gino Baffa, Channel Account Manager for RM Educational Software. “With the Califone MP3 player, students and teachers can create and share valuable content with ease. And, since the Califone MP3 Player is designed for the education market, keeping in mind the safety of students and the need for durability in the classroom, we feel that these two products are truly complimentary.”
RM Podium and the Califone MP3 Player are especially useful in special needs and ELL classrooms, where students may need additional reinforcement or teacher guidance outside the classroom. Recording a podcast in a language learning environment can illustrate to the teacher how well a student’s pronunciation, diction and understanding have progressed over time. Readers can visit RM Podium for more information and to download a free 30-day trial.
The easy-to-use MP3 Player includes dual headphone jacks, a built in mic, and its volume playback level is restricted to 85dB – all industry firsts – making it ideal for learning centers, language labs and libraries. The company’s teacher-tested 8100-HP headphones are included with the MP3 Player, which is made with rugged ABS plastic for durability and classroom safety.
Califone will also be supporting the podcasting initiative through its USB equipped headsets and jackbox, both industry firsts.
About RM Educational Software, Inc.
For over 35 years, RM Education has been a world-wide leader in developing outstanding educational tools, technology and services that engage students and inspire learning. RM Education is part of the RM Group, one of Europe’s largest and most respected suppliers of technology-based curriculum products for education. Founded in 1973 as a high technology startup by two colleagues at Oxford University, RM is a pioneer in the application of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Today, RM Education is a global company supplying educational products and services to thousands of schools in six different countries including the United States.
