About podcasts
A podcast is a video or audio file that is distributed is distributed automatically to a subscribed user. The term "podcast" is an abbreviation of the terms "iPod" and "broadcasting".
Podcasts are different from other digital delivery technologies - such as YouTube - because the files download automatically. Podcasts are normally broadcasts that are delivered over the web and are broken up into parts or episodes. Some podcasts are delivered on a regular basis and others can be stand alone. Podcasts are sometimes used by news companies, schools, alternative radio stations, and religious groups to deliver materials to a wider and younger audience.
Podcasts can be generated and enjoyed from a number of different sources and listened to directly on a computer.
Podcasts in the classroom
The following are some ideas on how podcasts sites can be used in the classroom:
* Ask students to create a podcast project around a class topic
* Ask the students to break-up the work of creating a podcast into different areas: researching, writing, technical production, etc.
These suggestions and more can be found at the Web 2.0 Survival Guide website
Find podcasting tools
The following is a list of links to some of the popular podcasting tools on the internet.
- Audacity"Audio editor for recording, slicing, and mixing audio. Site includes help, downloads, and developer information."
- gPodder"Download free audio and video content ("podcasts") from the Internet and watch it on your computer or on the go"
- Jing"Add visuals to your online conversations. Jing captures anything on you see on your computer screen, as an image or short video, and lets you share it instantly"
- Juice"Juice Receiver (formerly iPodder) is a media aggregator which automatically downloads podcasts and media files to your computer or portable device"
- Miro"Miro plays almost any video or music format and downloads from YouTube, podcasts, Amazon, and bittorrent"
- Podbean"An ultra simple podcast publishing solution. Everything you need. Unmetered bandwidth Monthly Increasing Disk Space for Premium and Business Podcasters."
- Podcast AlleyPodcast Alley is the best site to find all your Podcasts, podcast feeds, podcast definitions, podcast software and best podcast directory.
- Podfeed.net"Podfeed.net is a podcast directory that helps you find podcasts, read and write podcast reviews, listen to podcasts and share your podcast with others"
Examples of podcast use in the classroom
- Education Podcasts"Education podcasts from universities, colleges, students, teachers -- everyone who uses podcasting to learn and to teach others"
