A podcast is a digital media file, audio or video, delivered online via an RSS, or really simple syndication, feed. With the correct software, they are as easy to produce as speaking into a microphone and as easy to receive as a click. And, unlike TV or radio, they allow the user to choose their own content and listen to or view it when and how they want. Podcasts are created for a wide range of purposes, from the personally obscure to detailed professionalism in fields as diverse as entertainment, education, business, or social work. Users can search for podcasts through communities, directories, podcatchers, such as Itunes, or through subscription.
While the content for the most part is free, is the large volume of choice overwhelming or confusing? Is the content copyrighted, or is it public domain? Is choosing content to be played when you want convenient, or is something lost, like the element of surprise when you 'surf' for something that sparks your interest on TV or the radio? Do you utilize podcasts? If so, do you find podcasts to be useful? How do you feel when your professors suggest utilizing the podcasting tool on Blackboard to make up for lost time or to allow you to listen to lectures at your own leisure? Would you find it helpful if professors utilized this tool to allow you to listen to previous classes or revisit lectures when studying or going over your notes?
MacKenzie Burke and Sarah Shaw
I am not very familiar with podcasts but from what I understand, I don't find them to be confusing. I think they are pretty straight forward and easy to listen to. I don't really think it's copyrighted because I often find that podcasts are put up by the creator themselves. I think it's nice to be able to play it at your convenience. I think podcasts can be useful but I don't really use them very often. In response to your question about professors doing this, I have never had this done by any of my professors. However, I do think it would be useful to have important lectures put on a podcast so if you were absent or wanted to watch it again to help you study it could be very useful.
ReplyDeleteI’ve never really understood what podcasts were and now knowing that little bit of info it’s not very confusing at all. Based on what I just read it can be both, but that is also the same with music. If you set up what you want to be played then yes the “element of surprise” is lost but at the same time it also benefits you because then you’re not stuck with something you don’t want to listen to. Since I never understood what they were no, I have never utilized them. I feel that if professors are comfortable with using podcasts to help their students then it is very useful and very convenient for everyone. Yes!!! That would be extremely helpful, especially for teachers who don’t have any power points or visual aids for students.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have never used a podcast. But, from what I do know about them, I do not believe that they are confusing. Searching for a podcast isn't like searching for a video on youtube. I do not believe that the element of surprise is an element at all in podcasts. As long as credit is given to the makers of the podcast or the speakers I do not believe that it is copyright. When studying, I often find myself trying to recall what the professor said about a certain topic. Podcasts would be very helpful. Even if I don't miss class I still have trouble recalling all the specifics of the lectures.
ReplyDeleteI am not personally familiar with podcasts, but they sound like an interesting form of media. From what I just read, they don't seem too like they would be too confusing. Content being played right when you want it is incredibly convenient. I suppose the element of surprise is lost, but at the same time the benefit of choice and speed is very helpful. I have never utilized podcasts, but I might look into them in the future. I think that if professors were to utilize podcasts, it would be very helpful and convenient. It would be especially useful for adjunct professors who are not always available to students and those who do not have visuals such as PowerPoints or handouts involved in their lesson plans. However, it is important that everyone involved know how to use podcasts and keep up with the technology. Otherwise, I think podcasts are an incredibly useful form of media.
ReplyDeleteI do not utilize podcasts myself but they have been available to me. I have seen them offered for free through iTunes. I never found a need to listen to them; however, they can provide a great amount of information to people. I would find podcasts useful if professors posted lectures so I can go back and listen in case I missed out on something or want to refresh on a topic before a test. I was never too familiar with podcasts but now am intrigued to listen to one.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not use podcasts and I'm not too familiar with them. I have seen them available to me through iTunes and I somewhat explored them. From what I know about them I don't think they are confusing at all. I think it's a great source for people to speak their mind. I don't believe that its copyrighted because it's an individual talking about a topic that interests them.I think that podcasts can be useful especially in the classroom. It would be very helpful to a student if they missed a day and the lecture was available on podcast. However, students might take advantage of this privilege and skip classes. Overall, I do find podcasts interesting and useful.
ReplyDeleteThe only podcasts that I have seen are through iTunes. I have never belonged to a podcast or listened to one, so I do not know much about them, but I have seen them on iTunes and have seen the organization process. iTunes makes it very easy to find podcasts that would be potentially interesting for users. On this website/program, iTunes organizes podcats by “What’s Hot”, “Top Tens” and “Categories”. Within all of these tabs, one can look through the podcasts and choose ones that peak their interest. Due to the fact that there are so many podcasts available, iTunes makes it possible to find ones to be most interesting for you. The issue of copyrighting is dependent upon each and every podcast, the theme of the cast and the information presented. It becomes very convenient for someone to become a member of a specific podcast and to have the ability to choose when they want to listen to the broadcast. Because it is pre-recorded, people are ablt to listen anytime that they want. I never thought of connecting education to podcasts, but it is a great way to extend a lecture or to listen again to a lesson that may have already been taught. Students have the ability to listen back when they did not understand something, or even listen at the comfort of their home if sick or unable to attend class. This is a great way for teachers to connect to their students, especially in an era full of technological advances.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't think I have ever utilized a podcast. Unless we refer to a basic tape-recording of something. From the descriptions and information I have gained on podcasts as of later, I feel that they would be very useful to students if their professors made lectures available. While St.Rose classes are relatively small, I would find this more useful in larger lectures where visibilty or hearing the professor may be an issue. These podcasts would allow students to revisit information that may not have been delivered very effectively. I think it would only be a benefit for students and professors alike.
ReplyDeleteWith students lives being so busy, I think that it is very helpful when teachers allow for lectures to be viewed/listened to at their own leisure. I have had a teacher do this in the past and it worked out well.
The only experience I've ever had with a podcast is when my old band was featured on Saturday Morning Poke, which was a weekly online radio show. Other than that, I mostly do not pay attention to podcasts or radio in general. I, however, do believe that podcasts could be a very useful tool for teachers who want to get kids engaged in a project. Instead of having their students do a rather dull and time consuming project such as a powerpoint, teachers could have students do a presentation in the form of a podcast on almost any subject. I feel this would be a fun way for students to actively participate in learning. I mean, who doesn't enjoy walking around with a recorder, talking into it and interviewing people, even if it is about a topic they themselves did not necessarily choose. The presentations could then be uploaded to the web and used as examples for future students on how presentations should go. Also, podcasts could be used to eliminate the stage fright aspect of delivering oral presentations. If a student's voice is recorded in the comfortable setting of their own bedroom for instance, wouldn't you think their presentation might turn out much better than a forced, ad-libbed lecture which has no more thought put into it than what is written on a bunch of flash cards?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I personally do not or have not used a podcast I think they can be a useful tool for colleges including St. Rose. Podcast's offer convienience which can be valuable for students, and professors on the go. I actually have a professor who once when we had a snow day in the winter, used a podcast as our class discussion. It was annoying!:/ After this assignment into learning more about podcasts I would definately say that I am intrigued to learn more about them and maybe subscribe to a podcast I find interesting like the CNN headline news podcast with Robin Meade.
ReplyDeletePersonally,I feel as if podcasting is very useful. The fact that there is probably a podcast for pretty much anything, makes it's purpose that much more intellectual and useful. Podcasts should be public domain simply because since it's so randomly useful no one knows when they may need one;so having to ask for permission to do things when you want to so them will probably cause some kind of war.
ReplyDeleteBefore this class I didn't even know what a podcast was. So I personally don't feel as if now i will be utilizing them but I'm pretty sure someone else will.