TalkShoe

TalkShoe is an online community that allows all users to create, join, or listen to live discussions, conversations, and podcasts. []

Here is a virtual tour of TalkShoe: []

Video describing when the Host is in control of the Talkcast: []

Video describing how to talk and participate in live podcast: []

Recording or uploading your podcast: []

__Strengths:__
 * Can create your own Talkcast.
 * Can participate in someone else's Talkcast.
 * Can record your own Talkcast.
 * "Talkcasts" include interactive talkers as well as listeners.
 * The host is in control of when others join in on the conversation.
 * You can create a public Talkcast or private Talkcast.
 * Talkcast can be recorded for podcasting and/or downloading.
 * Can choose a past recording that you have previously found in order to screen it for student appropriateness.
 * If you are talking, you can talk using your phone, skype, PC Voice Service, or text!
 * There is a list of "upcoming Talkcast episodes that gives you the date and time of their appearance.
 * There is a potential to make money on your Talkcast based upon your listening base with Talkshoe Cash.

__Weaknesses:__
 * TalkShoe does not support many browsers such as Internet Explorer below version 6, Firefox below version 2, Opera version 8, Safari below version 3, or Google Chrome below version 3.
 * There is no language translation applications on the site so it would be very challenging to communicate with people in other areas of the world who did not know English.

__Opportunities:__
 * Students can learn from others around the world.
 * Students get a chance to interact with other students from different states.
 * Students get a chance to work together to produce a live or recorded Talkcast.
 * Students can showcase what they have learned about a given topic by discussing it live.

__Threats:__
 * Anyone is allowed to host a show on here. Therefore, teacher involvement and monitoring of Talkcasts is essential.
 * Anyone can listen in or comment on your Talkcast if the teacher has set it up to be so. The teacher needs to closely monitor outside comments.
 * Teacher would want to be familiar with the user posting the Talkcast before deciding to have students watch their show.
 * Teacher may want to only show students previously recorded Talkcasts in order for the teacher to be able to watch the show to make sure that is school appropriate.

__Ideas for the Classroom:__
 * Students can learn about a given topic by listening in to a live Talkcast or show.
 * Students can host a live talk show about something they are learning in class and allow others to listen and ask questions.
 * Students can have live debates with other classes in the school or around the world about a given topic.
 * Students can create live reader's theatre that can be shared with other classes and/or parents.
 * Students can create videos dealing with issues that happen at school (bullying, not following the rules, disrespect, etc.) Students could share these recorded video with the rest of the school or county.