Podcasting

What is Podcasting?

A podcast in its simplest form is ‘a series of digital media files, either audio or video, that is released episodically and downloaded (Wikipedia, 2009). These audio or video files can be downloaded through programs such as ITunes so that it can be listened to as an mp3/4 file, then transferred onto a portable mp3 player so the user can listen to the podcasts at any time that they wish. The distinct difference from an audio file and a podcast is that a podcast comes in parts. They can be a set amount of parts or an ongoing sequel that can be subscribed to and automatically downloaded and listened to at the user’s pleasure.

Theory and classroom uses for Podcasting

A podcast can be a helpful way for students to understand a certain topic. After browsing through the catagories on the itunes site under the Education heading and the sub heading of K-12 i found a podcast aimed towards children aged around 7-14 that was about the world news. This podcast allows younger people to keep updated with what is happening in the world as it is updated daily.

Teachers could upload a podcast to a site such as ITunes and ask the students to subscribe to it and then comment on what was said in the podcast. This way instead of giving out handouts or getting students to copy out homework questions they could all be given the link to the podcast, which allows students to access it at any time they want and listen to it multiple times.

When students create their own podcast to support a chosen project, Kearsley and Schneiderman (1999) states that because students get to define the nature of the project (even if they don't choose the topic), they have a sense of control over their learning which is absent in traditional classroom instruction.

Also students get to ‘Donate” as they have the opportunity to present their projects to an outside customer, whether that is parents, class mates or school etc. Kearsley and Schneiderman (1999) state that the authentic learning context of the project increases student motivation and satisfaction.

References

Kearsley, G. & Shneiderman, B. (1999), Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning, viewed 3rd September 2009 http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Wikipedia (2009), Podcasting, viewed 3rd September 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast