Podcasting

		Podcasting
		Questions..		Answers and sources for more information..
		What is podcasting?		When figuring out what "podcasting" is, it is helpful to consider the two words that have been combined to formulate the word: "iPod" and "broadcast". Podcasting is broadcasting files from the computer to personal mp3 players, such as the iPod. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines "podcasting" as "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player".^[1] Wikipedia uses more specific references to extend that definition: "Podcasting is an automatic mechanism by which multimedia computer files are transferred from a server to a client, which pulls down XML files containing the Internet addresses of the media files. In general, these files contain audio or video, but also could be images, text, PDF, or any file type."^[2] More on the subject: Wikipedia Definition Wired News: Podcasting - New Twist on Net Audio What is Podcasting? Tools for the TEKS: Integrating Technology into the Classroom. Classroom Audio Podcasting
		What is podagogy?		If "pedagogy" refers to theories in teaching and learning, then "podagogy" refers to theories of teaching and learning via iPod (or other mp3 player). Because it addresses teaching and learning in a specific medium, podagogy are theories that cross the spectrum from concept to product: from educational framework, to the how-to steps, to presentation quality, and finally to the technology required for the end-product. Educational Framework As reminded at blog.podagogy.com, educators must first think about pedagogy. You really mustn't jump right into the steps of "how-to" or get sidetracked by your presentation quality or technology without seriously considering your educational philosophy and instructional framework. Whether the pedagogy you embrace is Rob Reynolds' “context -> information -> review,” a modified version, or a totally different teaching/learning philosophy, sound teaching theory must remain the priority.^[3] How-To: Steps for a Successful Podcast The University of Wisconsin - Madison, addresses the how-to theories in developing podcasts by listing specific steps: Select appropriate content Determine your instructional goal Design your content Produce your podcast Incorporate the podcast into your course.^[4] Presentation Quality Xplanazine posted a Rob Reynolds article from Lone Star Learning that focuses on the quality of the educator's presentation in "Pedagogy for Podcasting". In the article he focuses on: Appropriate Length Informal Tone and High Energy Importance of Context and Review Informal Tone and High Energy Options for Different Learning Style Preferences Flexible Delivery Options^[5] Focus on Podcasting Technologies Podcasting is teaching using a specific medium; therefore, the theories of educating by way of a podcast is not complete without including some discussion about the technology options. This information includes the software, hardware, and accessories that provide a podcaster with the tools to put together their teaching/learning product. When considering the technology you will use, it is important to keep in mind: affordable ease of use accessibility to both teacher and learner universality Will Richardson states in his book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms that to get started with podcasting, all you need is simply: "a digital audio recorder that can create an mp3 file, some space on a server to host the file, a blog, and something to say." ^[6] More information on pedagogy and podagogy Pedagogical Podcasting or Podagogy Pedagogy for Podcasting Podagogy gains ground

		Where can I get more information about podcasting?		Podcasting Links Building Learning Communities Education World: Podcasting Why iPods are refreshing parts teachers can't reach Podcasting for Education Podcasting Tools: Resource for Podcasting Steve Holden's Weblog Gary S. Stager's Support for Progressive Educators ITunes FAQs on Podcasting Tools for the TEKS

		References ^ Oxford University Press, "'Podcast' is the Word of the Year." December 5, 2005. http://www.oup.com/us/brochure/NOAD_podcast/?view=usa ^ Wikipedia: "Podcasting". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast ^ Podcasting: "Where podcasting meets teaching and learning." http://blog.podagogy.com/?cat=2 ^ Podcasting at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. http://engage.doit.wisc.edu/podcasting/teachAndLearn/ ^ Reynolds, Rob. "Pedagogy for Podcasting (with Sample)", Explanazine. http://www.xplanazine.com/xplanaradio/archives/2005/07/pedagogy_for_po.html ^ Richardson, Will. Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, Corwin Press, Thousand Oaks, CA., 2006.