Podcasting

Podcasting





Wikipedia defines podcasting as a term to describe a collection of technologies for automatically distributing audio and video programs on the Internet. Dave Winer and Adam Curry are considered the creators of the podcsting phenomena. Back in 2001, the two discussed that there had to be a better method of delivering audio and video files on the Internet. Winer felt that a XML format called Really Simple Syndication was the solution they were seeking. Thus, Winer introduced the RSS enclosure tag into RSS 2.0 specification. However, a real breakthrough came when during the Fall of 2004 Adam Curry made his iPodder software public. iPodder allowed users to automatically download and transfer MP3 to an iPod.

Shortly thereafter, in the Spring of 2005, Apple released iTunes v4.9. iTunes v4.9 offered support services to subscribing to podcast and also included a top 100 list of podcast. Not only can you subscribe to podcast on iTunes, but if you are podcaster you can put a link of your podcast and accumulate subscribers also.

Podcast can be as diverse as individuals are. For example, podcast exist on music, news, sports, and other genres. Educators are beginning to see the potential of podcasting. In 2006, Duke University was already using podcasting classes, lectures, and visiting speakers.

The use of podcasting in the classroom is endless. Since podcasting is the use of spoken language, it is a suitable tool for learning. Students can hold interviews, talk about research, interpret news stories, read aloud, and respond to literature. The Mills Mufer Podcast is a 2nd grade class doing a Civil War unit. Music is included along with the students verbal presentations. The teacher who is leading the Mills Mufer Podcast is using the connectivist school of learning. The teacher is using rapidly changing technology and is using this technology to motivate her students by having the students actively participate.

Me Read? No Way! Is a publication that supports the use of podcasting to improve reading literacy in boys Me Read? No Way! gives additional tips and advice on improving boys literacy. In summary, educators and learners are going to put their creative ideas to use to enhance learning experiences using podcasts as an educational tool


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast
http://chatt.hdsb.ca/~elses/boylit/Podcasting%20in%20Education
http://chatt.hdsb.ca/~elses/boylit/edweek%20article.pdf
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/brochure/meread/meread.pdf