PODCAST

What is the link?
http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/

A Podcast is a series of digital audio or video file that are continuously released and it can be downloaded or subscribed through the web. For example, a mode of media files can be accessed over the internet like news reports, language lessons, cooking directions, etc. Normally, iTunes, Zune, Juice, and Winamp are used to automatically identify and download new files in a series when they are released.

How can Podcast be integrated in the classroom?

• The instructor can implement the Audio-lingual Method for 30 minutes of its class time by having students listen to Podcast.  Below is an example.

• The students can watch a report and have them comment on it in class
• The instructor can use to it provide directions to students, by video recording him or herself.
• The students can share to the class which information on which media files they believe is best for English language learning.

Advantages:

One of the advantages of Podcast is that it can provide language immersion to the students.  The files are easily downloaded to an iPod, therefore the students can listen to a language lesson audio or media file as often as they like.  Also, there are countless of files to choose from. 

Disadvantages:

One of the great disadvantages to Podcast is that it is exclusive to middle class or upper class students or langauge learning institutions.  Not everyone or every school has the proper resourse to accomodate to Podcast.  It is great for outside classroom use, however, for in a classroom activity I believe that there are more interactive sites to choose from.  Lastly, the video recording aspect of Podcast takes alot of planning, it can provide many challenges (i.e. lack of proper equipments).