What is a podcast?
Up until a few years ago all broadcast audio or television was delivered at a certain time and place. Whether that be sitting at home watching the BBC or listening to an interview whilst driving. There was no possibility to time shift a program. If you missed the broadcast it disappeared or you waited for a repeat.
Podcasts are free, personal and on demand. Production which was previously expensive and time consuming can now be done to a high standard by anyone with a good idea for content, a computer, a camera if video is required and a microphone.
The word Podcast comes from a combination of the words iPod and broadcast. The hugely popular Apple iPod was the first mobile device to allow episodes be automatically transferred to a mobile device after they are downloaded. To clarify this point podcats are popular with iPod users but you can also download a podcast onto a computer, MP3 player, modern mobile phone, or other portable device and take it with you. So it’s a key point that podcasts can be listened to on a variety of devices, not just iPods. It is also important to see Podcasting not just as a part of m-learning but as an area with individual growth potential.
How do I download a Podcast?
If you visit a site that has a podcast, you can click a button, which will typically be the one shown on the right and subscribe to receive future shows automatically.
All that is needed is to download a free tool called a pod catcher, iTunes is the most popular, other include Miro, that acts as a way to capture the shows. The podcasts can then be listened to on demand, where you want. The ThirdForce Podcasts can be listened to or downloaded.
How do Podcasts aid e-learning?
Podcasting is not a silver bullet it is best suited as part of a blended approach. Areas suited to delivery via Podcats include:
- Performance support with a series of How-Do-I procedures.
- Assessments with diagnostic skills check and e-learning practise tests.
- Video/Audio e-learning inductions.
Originally podcast were typically not used in areas that required complex procedural instruction. Whilst this is still largely true the reduction in cost of portable video devices like iPhone and wide spread availability of personal mp3 players with video capability will see this change in the short term. The podcast will allow learners to shift time by listening to audio and video at a time of their own choosing. This new medium reinforce e-learning topics as a part of a more blended, engaging approach.
