Podcasting in Education

Podcasts are very similar to RSS Feeds. In fact, they use the same type of delivery method. A podcast is actually transmitted using an RSS feed. The main difference is that podcasts do not contain text; they are made up of audio content, video content, or both.
Like RSS feeds, a person must be a subscriber to a podcast to be able to hear or view it. Also, as new episodes of the podcasts are made available, the subscribers will be notified and will have the option of downloading the latest media. And just as RSS feeds empower anyone, anywhere to become content publishers, podcasts provide the means for becoming the host of your own radio show or an independent television broadcaster. The most intriguing thing about using podcasts is that their content is global. They are accessible to anyone with an Internet connection, and contrary to popular belief, do not require an iPod to receive. Therefore, creating and posting a podcast essentially means you are broadcasting your audio and video content to the world.

One of the most talked about benefits of using podcasts in education is improved student motivation for learning. On Tony Vincent’s Podcasting in Education website, he states that “Knowing that there is a real-world audience gives students purpose and motivation to create a spectacular product”. Contrary to the popular research paper or literature essay that never leaves the classroom, a podcast isn’t just for the teacher to consume; it is available for the world to listen or watch. This helps students want to create the content and continue updating it.
Jeanne Halderson, a middle school teacher, is quoted in a New York Times article about podcasting saying “Their audience has moved to the entire world…The students find that exciting. It's a lot more motivating to write something that the whole world can hear, rather than just something for a teacher to put a grade on."

Also quoted in that same article is Daniel J. Schmit , an instructional technology specialist. He claims that podcasting “teaches them [students] to do research, to communicate in print, to speak effectively and grab attention with sound."
Podcasting helps build strong communication skills. This is another important benefit to using podcasts as a classroom tool. Since a script is necessary, students must first engage with the writing process. Then they verbally or visually deliver their script. Next comes the editing stage involving their technical skills, and finally, they post it. Completing a podcast assignment involves the application of higher order thinking skills.
An excellent example of student work can be found here. This student created podcast is devoted to high school honors chemistry topics.

One popular use for podcasting is making class content available outside the classroom and confines of printed texts. The author of the Free Podcast Course website maintains that podcasts are an excellent way for information to be shared amongst teachers and students. If teachers author podcasts of important lessons or course subjects, they can be made available to students on demand. This helps when students desire further clarification on a topic. They can subscribe to podcasts and at their leisure, review class material to ensure their understanding.
As this article in teaching technology suggests, podcasts of classroom content can also be used for distance learning. When students are absent they can view podcasts and catch up on what they have missed. The author also goes on to suggest that podcasts can help bring information from an expert in a particular field to the classroom to complement the curriculum.

Podcasting can even have benefits for the youngest of students. Pre-K teachers at Carrolton Elementary School have a webpage devoted to podcasting. The page contains general information, the how to’s, and benefits. The most interesting post however, is about Pre-K teachers using podcasts to enhance a pre-reading program. Teacher’s record books to podcasts and students check out iPods to take home and listen to them. The stories are then discussed in class.

Evidence that podcasting is being used in education is not hard to come by. There are numerous websites that provide training and information about them and their uses and potentials.
One excellent source is an article on Wesley A. Fryer’s educational technology website entitled Classroom Audio Podcasting. Fryer provides a list of 10 benefits for podcasts and suggests that their use will aid in bringing pedagogy into the 21st century.
Shawn Wheeler from the Peoria Unified School District maintains what is probably the best introduction to improving student learning through podcasting. His material is presented as an automatically advancing slide show with an attached audio podcast.
The Department of Education and Training in Australia even includes a web page dedicated to podcasting in education. Contained on this page are various resources to assist teachers with the implementation of podcasts. The site re-enforces the above-mentioned points and provides other educational values for using podcasts.

For a fairly comprehensive list of educational podcasts already available for use, you can visit http://epnweb.org/ . The podcasts are subdivided into categories based on their discipline.