Exploiting the educational potential of podcasting

2. Creating and listening to podcasts

Producing and publishing a podcast is straightforward and can make use of software and hardware that is readily available. The steps involved are summarised in Table 2.

Podcasting uses a XML-based technology called RSS (Really Simple Syndication), which is being used on more and more websites to provide ready access to information. Various organisations use this approach to provide a list of new content or information items in a XML or RSS file. Either of these terms will be used on websites to indicate the presence of a RSS feed, often in the form of a graphic such as those shown below.

The BBC, for example, provides a range RSS feeds on different topics for regularly updated news items (see Table 3 below). A wide range of information can be provided in RSS feeds - including channels, dates, titles and descriptions. Recently, an extension to XML was introduced which allowed for "enclosures"; basically, these provide information about an enclosed file and location. Using MP3 files as enclosures in XML or RSS files has been the spur to the evolution of podcasting.

A range of software has existed for a while that allows computers to read and display the contents of RSS feeds (XML format). This approach to reading published "headlines" is rapidly gaining popularity. The user is able to quickly scan and locate information (if published) without having to trawl numerous website pages. With the advent of enclosures, a range of podcast software has been written to read podcasts. These are readily available on the Internet and software can be downloaded and installed for different computer operating systems. A good point of reference for information about such software is www.ipodder.org.

Once downloaded to the computer, the podcast (in the form of a MP3 file) can be listened to at any time. In addition, the podcast can be transferred to a MP3 player; thus, making the podcast available on demand, anywhere at anytime. The steps for locating and listening to podcasts is summarised in Table 4.

For some schools, the prospect of downloading, installing and using this kind of software may prove problematic or undesirable. There is a good alternative. An increasing number of websites are dedicated to providing a listing service for podcasts. Our podcast directory for educators and the Education Podcast Network provide carefully selected quality podcasts from schools and covering a wide range of subject areas and age ranges.

Next page >>>

Return to the top of page

© 2005-2012 RECAP Limited. All rights reserved

Russell Educational Consultancy and Productions