Podcasting and its Classroom Benefits

I do not know a lot about podcasting, but have begun to investigate. The website,
http://www.wtvi.com/teks/05_06_articles/classroom-audio-podcasting.html
explains, "a podcast is a web feed of audio files (although increasingly people are applying the term to video and other media) that is placed on the Internet for anyone to download. It's usually possible to download the files directly from the website, just as one would normally do; however, special programs called podcatchers exist that let users subscribe to podcasts in order to automatically download and store the media files for later playback.” It also discusses some benefits:

1. Podcasting is cheap
2. Podcasting invites a global audience
3. Audio podcasting encourages no-frills communication
4. Podcasting is digital storytelling
5. Podcasting provides a window into the classroom
6. Podcasting involves few privacy concerns
7. Podcasting can educate about copyright
8. Podcasting can be interactive
9. Podcasting can be creative
10. Podcasting can be fun

I think we would all agree with Wesley A. Fryer's article from this website, that the "educational model of the past is insufficient for the needs of today’s learners and employers. Classroom podcasts can provide engaging opportunities for students to develop desirable skills as digital storytellers and cutting-edge communicators."