Podcasts are media files, such as text, audio, video, etc. that can be played on the computer or downloaded to MP3 players. Users typically subscribe to a Podcast channel and download the content to their computers. Additionally, once subscribed if new updates are added to the podcast channel the material is automatically downloaded to the subscribers computer. Since its inception, podcasts have become easier to use and thus more popular.
We also learned how podcasting is being used in the educational setting. Duke University gave iPods to a incoming class and on those iPods were podcasts of orientation. Also lectures can be downloaded on them so one can listen to it multiple times. Podcasts would help students catch up or stay on track if they were out sick for an extended period of time. Teachers could also assign students to create their own podcasts which would help them learn and become familiar with the material and to learn how to effectively communicate the material. Studies have shown the podcasts have dramatically helped in learning another language.
However, there are some drawbacks, one must get permission to use a certain content before one incorporates it into the lecture, some material may be inappropriate for students because anyone can put anything on a podcast. Teachers must be taught how to record their lectures and turn them into mp3s. Students or even teachers may not have access to the equipment needed to listen or create podcasts as well as enough space on their hard drive to support all the mp3's they have to download. Additionally, some students are not auditory learners, they need to see the content, whether in text form or through graphs, in order to really comprehend the material.
While audio podcasts may not be very useful in the telecommunication field, video podcast are. One can upload their videos for others all over the world to see. Although, using audio podcasts is a little similar in that once the material is recorded, one should go back and edit the material. As a telecom production major, we have to edit our video and audio material all the time. When the levels of audio are to low we have to go in and raise them in a program such as final cut. We also have to make sure that when recording or in the editing phase that there is no outside noise to distract the listener from the important message we are trying to get across.
This video I found on Youtube breaks podcasting down in simple terms. It covers what it is, why it is popular, and how easy it is to use. It shows how traditional media, is time dependent -where one has to watch and listen to a show at a certain time whereas podcasting erases the time element and makes listening to your favorite shows easy to do anytime and anywhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment