Thing 20: Podcasts

Okay, let’s talk about Podcasting.

Podcasts, derived from “iPod” and “broadcast”, emerged around 2004 and are previously recorded audio or video files that you download or subscribe to online via RSS. They can be listened to using your computer, your mp3 player, or another audio device. The major identifying aspects of a podcast:

• They’re serials, or episodic
• They can be downloaded or subscribed to (RSS)
• Each focuses on a particular topic or theme
• They have a host

Podcasts most often are just audio feeds and can be found for nearly every topic. It is user-generated content – content that YOU contribute to Web 2.0.

For this Thing…

1. Read this article -- Podcasting: Evolution of Technology
2. MSNBC’s website offers podcasts and has a great FAQ about podcasting in general -- http://msnbc.msn.com/id/38001458
3. Go to this site -- http://www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/256
   The first entry is a promo podcast by Wichita Rutherford for PodCast411.
   Click LISTEN. You do not have to download it if you are viewing this blog entry on a computer with speakers. It’s only a promo for the podcast, so it’s very short.
4. Finally, explore more podcasts online. You can search for topics on Podcastdirectory.com, NPR.org, Education Podcast Network or through your preferred search engine. Listen/download a few podcasts, preferably in a series.
5. Share a podcast of your choice on your blog (share the link).
   

Things to Consider:
Do the podcasts (hosts, content, quality) improve or stray off topic with time?
Do you see any limitations to podcasting?

Don’t forget to blog about your experience with podcasting!