5.1 Podcasts

Podcasts are generally audio recordings that are shared, usually in a Mp3 format that people can listen to on a variety of devices such as portable Mp3 players, smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. The name came from the merging of the terms “iPod” and “broadcast”. Video versions (sometimes called “vodcasts”) are often in a Mp4 file format and will play on the same devices. Educators at all levels have been making use of podcasts for sharing information for a number of years. This is sometimes in the form of a short clip explaining a particular concept, but some podcast entire courses with each lecture making up the individual podcast episodes. This allows for students to access course materials while on the go, such as listening to a lecture while on the bus.

For example, Ryan created this short audio clip Links to an external site. to summarize one weeks discussions from our Introduction to Teaching Online course Links to an external site..

Audacity Links to an external site. is a free tool that a number of educators use to create podcasts. Soundcloud Links to an external site. is an online tool that allows you to record podcasts and have them hosted on the Soundcloud site. The following videos explain how to install and use Audacity and provide and introduction to using Soundcloud.