Podcasts

Podcasts are audio files that can be automatically delivered directly to your desktop computer, and can be transferred to your iPod or other MP3 player. You are able to subscribe to podcasts using "podcatcher" software such as the popular 'Itunes'. I downloaded two podcasst to Itunes which one was called 'English in 6 minutes'. The audio content was based on the topic 'clouds'. This was a simple process that could most certainly be a valuable tool to use within the classroom.

It is evident that we are witnessing a rapid increase in the use of Web-based 'collaborationware'. Podcasts have been increasingly adopted by many within the Education system. Because of their ease of use and rapidity of deployment, they offer the opportunity for powerful information sharing and collaboration. Podcasts offer a way to enhance students learning experiences, and deepen levels of learners' engagement and collaboration within digital learning environments.


Collaborative learning is an integral part of constructivist environments and which can be directly linked to e-learning, in particularly podcasting. Besides being learner-centered, constructive learning is about co-constructing knowledge, i.e., collaborative learning. Gosk (2009) explains that, “Learning most naturally occurs not in isolation but by teams of people working together to solve problems. Collaborative Learning Environments or CLE's should provide access to shared information and shared knowledge-building tools to help learners to collaboratively construct socially shared knowledge.”

Gosk. C. (2009) Learning Solutions: E-Magazine Retrieved 15 August 2009 from http://ltt.nciwiki.com.au/file/view/Wikis_Blogs_Podcasts_Tools.pdf