Why Podcast??

Before my research and readings on podcasts, I must admit that I thought podcasts were videos. Apparently they can be in this form, but they are called Vodcasts. The definition I read stated that the word podcast derived from the words ipod and broadcast. Podcasts are audio recordings that are available on the internet and are usually made in a serial fashion and can be listened to like your favorite sitcom.

When I realized that a podcast was an audio file I began asking myself what the difference was between a podcast a music file on sites such as itunes that you can search for and download. With podcasts you can subscribe to them as you would to the very blog you are reading! You can also have the podcasts come to you through RSS feeds allowing you to be updated frequently on works such as blog entries, news headlines, audio and video files. This way, work can be published once and then be sent and viewed by many different programs. OK, enough on RSS....

I researched ways that other teachers used podcasts and found some pretty interesting stuff! Not only are students utilizing podcasts as a new way of applying newly learned information, but teachers are also using it as a management tool.

So why podcast?

• Students can read/publish their original poetry/writing pieces


• Foreign language teachers are narrating passages that students can translate at home


• Teachers can record overviews/study guides


• Music students can record their compositions


• Teachers record lectures for students who are absent


• Elementary students are recording their messages to pen pals around the world