In all honesty I had very little knowledge of podcasting before we covered it in class this week. I always thought it was a cheesy thing nerds did in their spare time - which sound awful - but, I have a pretty busy life and I don't really like listening to people just sit around and talk...I like to interact so...I never thought it would be something for me. After watching the video for it in class (I'll post it below - it's really fun - WATCH IT!) I must admit I'm somewhat interested. I have an iPod and and iPad so why not?
Some Things I Learned About Podcasting:
-The "pod" in PODcasting stands for Personal On Demand ... similar to broadcasting but personal and available when you want it i.e.: on demand.
-Anyone Can Do It
*All you need is a mic, a camera, a computer and connection to the internet
*This opens it to a wider variety of options to pick from - sushi lovers to cat enthusiasts
-If You Like It...SUBSCRIBE
*Subscribing to a person/group's podcast means that (through a "pod catcher" like iTunes) your podcasts are automatically recorded and downloaded to your device - even if you're not there to push a record button.
-Open to All Types of GADGETRY
*Not specific to iPods/Pads - you can get podcasts on your computer or most mp3 players
How Podcasting is Different/Similar to Other Web 2.0 Applications
-I think Podcasting is similar to other Web 2.0 applications we have been discussing because it allows the users to interact online and allows the teachers to create their own podcasts that allow the students to download class lectures and listen to them wherever.
-I also think podcasting differs from other Web 2.0 applications we have discussed simply because it's not entirely online all the time. Once the podcast has been downloaded onto your listening device most people will walk away from the computer to listen to it. While this is convenient it means the student must return to the computer to respond if the student is using an mp3 player that does not have Internet access. It once again limits the availability to students that have more scrilla...and we all know the problems scrilla (or lack thereof) is causing our economy. (Scrilla = $)
My Reflection on All of This
-Like I stated earlier, I do own an iPod (Touch) and an iPad. Both of these devices are wifi capable and my iPad came with the 3G network option so, essentially, I can be online wherever there is a good Verizon signal (oxymoron?) but, I digress...I use the iPod for working out and I hook it up to my car when I travel back and forth to Oklahoma. Shout out to the phenom boyf that got me a new one after my old one got ganked. (Rockwall BRATS)...ANYWAYS!!!...The iPad I take with me to most classes to use only for note taking because I NEVER get on Facebook or shop during class! I also use it to play music not synced on my iTouch for long travels. I also took it with me to Egypt in order to watch movies on that ridiculously long flight.
-I think I could come up with some way to implement the usage of iPad in the classroom. If Wifi is available I could use it to pull up articles or even, dare I say it, podcasts to share with my students - it would be extremely helpful if students that were absent could access my podcast because, really, who wants to get somebody else's notes to rely on? Nobody takes notes like I do and I never feel like I get enough out of reading somebody else's interpretation of the class so for that type of situation a podcast of my class lectures/teachings (lectures sounds so boring!) would be almost as phenomenal as my sweet boyf. :)
-I think it has the potential to be dangerous and have serious disadvantages as well. Internet connections are never reliable...what if a student can't access the podcast in time? Even worse - students know that Internet connections are unreliable and could use that as an excuse to "not be able to get the podcast." These are all things I'm willing to look into because I think, just like all the other Web 2.0 applications - if you do it right and don't replace the teacher entirely - you could pull off something amazing!
"Don't replace - COLLABORATE!"
Until next time!
-lkh
