Podcasting

Last class I learned about podcasting. A podcast is a catch all phrase that includes both audio and video files that can be posted to a webpage or a blog and then downloaded by others. The term "vodcast" is often used to specify that it is an audio and video file as opposed to just an audio file. Podcasts are often used for entertainment purposes such as listening to music. However, podcasts can a be powerful educational tool as well. Instructors can record lectures and post them to their website so that students who missed the lecture can hear them or students can download the lectures to review the information before a test. In addition to using it as an instructional tool, you can use it as an assessment tool by having students create a podcast or vodcast as part of a project. For example, a student who is studying John F. Kennedy could make a vodcast rather than submit a book report as a final assignment. Creating a podcast requires the student to research the subject, be creative, use technology and communicate the information orally.