Tuning in to education: featured podcasts and vodcasts
by Meg Gwaltney, Stein | April 12th, 2006Contributed by: Meg Gwaltney
Web Content Manager, Stein Communications
In case you were wondering, podcasts and vodcasts are audio or video files distributed over the Internet using either RSS or Atom syndication for listening on mobile devices and personal computers. Unlike streaming audio and video, podcast and vodcast files are downloaded to the user’s equipment, which allows the files to be played at any time, even when users are not connected to the Internet.
May and June 2005 was a big time for podcasting and vodcasting, largely because of added features in Apple’s iTunes software: the support of video playback, podcasting and vodcasting subscriptions, and the sale of music videos, short films, and television shows from the iTunes Music Store. As if podcasting weren’t gaining popularity fast enough, iTunes helped boost podcasting and vodcasting even further into the mainstream. The release of software programs such as GarageBand and Audacity has continued to allow users to easily create, edit, and publish these types of digitally rich media and make them readily available to the public.
Education is no exception to this media boom. Podcasting and vodcasting, for some schools and classrooms, have become conventional methods of teaching and learning. We have reviewed many podcasts and vodcasts and are pleased to present some of the ways these technologies are being used in the field of education:
- Teachers use podcasts to review homework and chapter notes. Vodcasting often comes in handy with science experiments and other visually dependent curricula.
- Students create their own podcasts to deliver special presentations and share information they learn in class. Students’ reading skills can also be featured on a podcast.
- School boards utilize podcasts and vodcasts to share board meetings with their communities.
- Colleges give prospective students a real look at higher education through podcasts and vodcasts created by current students.
- Education professionals share knowledge and skills with one another through audio and video presentations.
- Podcasts and vodcasts are also available that prepare students for standardized tests, allow individuals to learn a foreign language and increase their vocabulary skills, and more…
Visit any of the web sites above for more information on the featured podcasts and vodcasts. You can also search the iTunes Music Store to subscribe for free.
If you haven’t delved into the world of podcasting yet, here are a few things you should know before taking the plunge:
- Whether you are listening to podcasts and vodcasts or creating them yourself, use up-to-date technology. Podcasts and vodcasts require adequate memory and processing power to operate without skipping parts of the audio and video. If you have the option of buying a new computer, you may want to upgrade the memory and processor speed from the standard options, especially if you’ll be creating your own podcasts or vodcasts.
- For those wishing to host their own podcasts or vodcasts online, check your hosting package first to be sure it comes with enough disk space and bandwidth. While your hosting package may not be expensive, incurring overage charges for these types of items is usually quite costly.
With that said, open up iTunes, get out your iPod, and enjoy some podcasts and vodcasts!
