Educational Podcasting
If you’re looking for technology that can provide a new way of
sharing and transmitting audio or video for teaching and learning in
homes and schools, podcasting could just be the thing for you.
Podcasting refers to an Internet-based publication and syndication
technology. Users can capture, edit, distribute and download audio,
video and other multimedia content, either still or animated.
The ease with which podcasts can be accessed is very suited to
education, teaching and learning. Once students become exposed to the
world of podcasts, they can just download podcasts with supplementary
lessons to the PC or a portable music player, or even subscribe to an
RSS feed so they can automatically download updated podcasts to the PC.
There are three kinds of podcasts:
- Audio podcasts - broadcast audio for public access and can be downloaded and played on most MP3 players
- Enhanced podcasts - can include images and hyperlinks, usually in audio books
- Video podcasts - gives the user the full visual and audio experience
To create your own audio podcast, record audio first and save it as a
sound file. Convert this file into an MP3 file to make it quicker to
download. Then, edit it before posting on the Internet. These podcasts
are usually stored or hosted online (some of which are for free).
A lot of schools right now, especially in the technologically
advanced countries, are using podcasts to give their students
technological exposure and build up confidence.
One example would be DJ Bun, who is really 11-year-old Chelsea
Parkinson. She has already interviewed parents, students and special
guests, and she has done so in front of a worldwide audience, thanks to
the Internet.
This potential vast audience that can give feedback is not the only
advantage of podcasting in schools. Another advantage would be the ease
at which learning materials can be distributed—publishing, in other
words, in a virtual learning environment.
And finally, it’s a great communication tool. Students can become
excited with this new means of communicating. They can create podcasts
based on children’s stories, audio diaries, plays, interviews, news or
reviews. Some teachers can even review lessons using podcasts.
For more information, watch the Apple Video Series on Podcasting in Education.
Sources:
Cole, George. “Why every school should be podcasting.” Retrieved June 10, 2009 from
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2007/sep/18/link.link16
Corl, Frank, et al. “Internet-Based Dissemination of Educational Video Presentations: A Primer in Video Podcasting.” Retrieved June 10, 2009 from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18562712
“What is educational podcasting?” Retrieved June 10, 2009 from
http://recap.ltd.uk/podcasting/info/podcasting.html
(Published 22 June 2009, Smart Communications, Inc.)
