Podcasts are easy and awesome! A podcast is simply an audio file (mp3 format) that can be posted on the Internet. A podcast can be as simple as recording someone talking. To add interest to the recording you can include music, sound effects, and even other clips. You don't need a fancy microphone for the recording. To create (record) the podcast you can use different programs including GarageBand for Apple, and Audacity for Windows-based machines. IPods can even be outfitted with a microphone and can be used to create the podcast.
Once it is created you will want to post it somewhere so others can hear it. One method to do this is to place it right on your school's or district's web page. There are also free Internet sources where you can post your file. These include Podomatic and gcast. Once these are posted you can create links to them. A podcast is probably one of the most simple Web 2.0 tools to use.


Here are some possible uses of podcasts in education:

• Create a classroom news show to let parents and others know what has been happening in the classroom.
• Students can conduct interviews.
• Students can record reviews on books, software, etc.
• A group could report on events of the school.
• While security issues might prevent the posting of a video news program, the audio could be posted as a podcast.
• A poetry corner could be created.
• Foreign language students could use podcasts for practice.
• Students could create audio tours of classroom or school-wide work.
• Students can write and create their own music for podcasts as well using GarageBand or a similar program.

Here are some sample podcasts:

Education Podcast Network
Radio Willow Web
SpeedofcreativitySpeedOfCreativity