Issues in Educational Technology

A podcast is a media file that is distributed by subscription (paid or unpaid) over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. Podcasts can be a great way of exposing students to content that is engaging and highly mobile.

Download and install iTunes to your computer if it is not already installed.  It can be uninstalled when you are finished with this course if it is not an application that you want to keep on your computer: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

After you have installed iTunes, click on the following link to learn how to access the iTunes Store where you can find, download, and subscribe to podcasts of all kinds: http://screencast.com/t/EoFAUIpE

Explore the educational podcasts available on iTunes.  Look for podcasts that you find to be informative, useful, interesting, and/or beneficial.

If you have questions you can view iTunes Podcasting FAQ’s and Tips at the following links: 

http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/podcastsfaq.html

http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/podcaststips.html

After exploring the podcasts that are available in iTunes, share some of the podcasts that you found to be informative, useful, interesting, and/or beneficial.  Feel free to comment on or ask questions about podcasts that other students have described in their posts.

Optional:  You can also find podcasts to subscribe to on the web.  Here are just a few examples of links to podcast directories found on the web:

http://www.podcastingdirectory.com/

http://www.podcast411.com/

http://www.podcastpickle.com/

http://www.podcastdirectory.org/

http://www.podcastalley.com/

http://www.epnweb.org/

Creating podcasts can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.  Desktop applications such as GarageBand, Audacity, iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, and many more can be used to create, edit, export, and upload podcasts.  In class, Windows Movie Maker was demonstrated as an application that can be used to create podcasts, which is the same application that you will use to create your movie.

Optional:  It is also possible to use a free service that makes creating a podcast as simple as making a phone call.  Click on the following link to create and register for an account at Gcast.com: http://www.gcast.com/user

After registering for an account, click on the following link to learn the basics of how to use Gcast to record a podcast from your phone and listen to it on the web or in iTunes: http://screencast.com/t/ZgQj5ZhWe

Follow these steps to record and publish a podcast by phone: 

1.    Click on the Record by phone link on the left and input your phone number and a 4-digit PIN.  Choose a primary podcast channel if you have more than one.

2.     Call toll-free 1-888-65 GCAST (888-654-2278).

3.     Enter your PIN to identify yourself.

4.    Record your message and choose to publish it directly to your primary podcast channel.

Read the article entitled Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants by Marc Prensky. Although this article is from 2001, it is still very relevant today.

We can use this article, as well as the information presented in class on Web 2.0 technologies in education, as a springboard for our first online discussion. Feel free to express your thoughts and opinions freely… there are no right or wrong answers. Be sure to check back throughout the week to see what others have written, giving you the opportunity to respond to their comments if you feel the need to.