Educational Podcasts

Podcasting in the Classroom

Educational podcasts via iPods are becoming more common in the classroom. A very familiar term 'Podcast' is actually an audio or a video file that is usually posted on the internet and one which can be downloaded for use at any instant. Podcasting in the classroom can also be streamed live.

Podcasting in the classroom is anything but Old School. Podcasting is being widely used by school teachers who record their lectures in the form of an audio / video file which could then be downloaded by students on their laptops or for that matter portable device like iPods and mp-3 players.

This type of study can be really beneficial if you have missed any lecture (due to illness or other commitments) and also can suit people who think that they can learn better by listening to a lecture according to their learning speed. Distance learning is also an avenue for educational podcasts.

Also educational podcasts is something new that really fascinates teens and children and they will always be more attracted towards studies when schooling is delivered in this manner. Some of the schools using podcasting in the classroom as a means of study are already seeing better performance results from students.

The students have instant access to lectures whenever they need them and therefore can prepare well for their exams. It is not only the lectures that can be prepared on podcasts but also PowerPoint presentations can be converted into a podcast.

The students then can have an explanation to the presentation in the form of an audio file so while they are viewing the presentation they can also play the audio file along with it to have an explanation on it. Studying homework on a podcast can be done while riding in a car, on a bus or in line at the supermarket or Post Office line.

Podcasts have also managed to reduce students' time in the libraries in searching for material related to their subjects and also podcasting in the classroom decrease mental pressure that many times leads to better performance in the examinations.

Educational Podcasts can also help a person to learn a specific language and build up his or her vocabulary. On the other hand, teachers can interact with students effectively by means of a podcast wherein teachers can create podcasts of FAQ's which can really benefit the students.

Also the students can have their queries answered through a podcast. Thus in a way it will help the students to get familiar with modern day technology and interact with others through leading edge social media avenues.

Another benefit of educational podcasts is that it is a fairly simple and relaxed process to carry out because it requires only a computer, microphone and an internet connection. Who says that gadgets like iPods and laptops are spoiling children?

Educators must keep up with the times if they are to reach kids and teens on their own level both mentally and technologically.

Parents too can take full advantage of this podcast technology by hearing their children's progress report from their teachers without meeting them. So basically we see that the biggest advantage of educational podcasts is that they can be viewed and downloaded anytime you like and whenever you need the lecture material.

Though it might take some time for the teachers and the students to get used to this software and there may be a few glitches along the way (what technology or school doesn't have this), educational podcasts in the classroom are not only the future but are happening right now.