Podcasting

This is my first experience with listening to Podcasts, which I would equate to listening to talk radio, but you get to pick the subject. After listening to a few, there are various styles, but most just flow like conversations. The array of subjects seems almost infinite, the listener can select any topic they want to learn more about.

SMARTboard Lessons is a weekly show that talks about SMARTboards as the title suggests. There are two hosts, who basically converse with each other about new information they have discovered and outline various links that can be helpful to the listener. One aspect I liked, was that they would give you the web address of the link they discuss, and then almost walk you through the features while you can follow along. It is almost a tutorial like display while you listen through iTunes and follow in your interest browser.

The KidCast series is hosted by one person who talks directly to the listener. These are informative, but if you're not interested in the subject, you can be easily distracted. Some Podcasts are a group effort, such as MacBreak Weekly, where a few individuals bring their thoughts to the table and then discuss. I probably prefer this type of Podcast the best, because it seems fast paced but also informative. You have several people bringing thoughts together while the others agree or disagree, but you get several points of view.

Some Podcasts such as EdTechTalk are conducted like interviews, where there are weekly guests that talk about various subjects. Tuning in each week, the listener has the advantage of hearing from people located anywhere in the world, who can contribute to an interested topic.

Podcasts are a great way to keep up with moving technology or for learning new ideas from a central location. They allow the listener to follow along with their computers or listen to subscriptions when they have time. Considering possible benefits for use in the classroom, what a great way to post notes for students to pick up, or information for parents that can be downloaded. There are endless possibilities to what you can do, or information that you can provide or take advantage of.