Benifits of Podcasting in Education

2007-03-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

Interesting interview with Ewan mcIntosh about social media and how it can used In schools, you can listen to it here, and found more stuff on his blog!!!

2007-03-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

Reasons why I think podcasting lectures is useful

1. Firstly reviewability if teachers want students to go to class to listen, surely with the price of a mp3 player, and cheap microphone, it’s a valuable resource for students

2. I have found that the content is so much more focussed with a podcast, for instance we recorded a 60 min podcast recently, where after editing getting rid of all the ahhs and emms, I reduced this to 25 mins, you can go straight the content and frame the lecture in key points with perhaps music breaks to emphasis key concepts, no time is wasted !!!!!

3. I found throughout my studies that some lectures were not concerned with updating there notes, and were just rehashing the same notes as the previous year. The nature of knowledge is that it changes all the time, and having last previous years lecture would ultimately demand reviewability from the teacher and student and hence more updating of the content.

4. Rss feeds are so easily consumed nowadays, and are generally supported in all the latest browsers. Students can easily synch content to be delivered to themselves effortlessly without having to navigate troublesome CMS or company intranets.

5. For thing like questions at the end of a lecture, where there maybe issues of hearing, all question can be reviewed and answered, also additional information can be added to supplement this answers

6. Everyone has a mp3 player

7. I believe all leading institutes have started. Universities who don’t not provide this facility will feel
A. Left behind
B. Not meeting the needs of there learners
C. Not advertising the real assets (teachers and lectures/ facilities etc) of there institute

8. For students who are not sure about taking a class, there is no better reference than listening to last years lectures to see if this topic would interest them

9. Podcasting in effect will only amplify the good or the bad. Podcasting in my opinion requires more planning, and more time, but delivers a far better one to one message. The content once released is under the scrutiny of everyone and managed properly this can provide the foundation for a effective collaborative work environment.

10. Through Skypecasting or Waxii the whole class can participate with an outside voice with lecturer moderating. I think listening to other voices is very important when learning something. They can offer a different voice, perspective, and expertise on the subject. The lessons I enjoyed most where often guest visits we had from professional working in that area. They gave insight on how what we where learning is applied in a professional context.

Free UC Berkeley Courses via Video and Podcast (Essential Classes)

2007-03-11T05:39:00.001-07:00

UC Berkeley has made available courses streamed video, others by podcast that you can access for free. You'll find here many essential/core courses here

read more | digg story

Podcast Directories

2007-03-11T04:37:00.001-07:00

Useful help on adding your podcast to the different directories,I would highly recommend this site as well for useful podcasting hints and tips

read more | digg story

2007-03-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

Really good video on the copyright and music, with the world most important 6 sec drum loop.

2007-03-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

LibriVox is a very interesting project I came across not unlike podiobooks in the last post. LibriVox records books in the public domain and releases the audio files back onto the net. There goal is to make all public domain books available as free audio books. They are a totally volunteer, open source, free public domain project. The recordings are available in a range of languages including English, German, French, Chinese and Portuguese (Brazilian)

There most recent addition of text is the mamooth ( the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,By charles Darwin) which weighs in at a mere 24 hours of audio
.Now although this wouldn’t be my cup of tea, the project has lots of potential

You can read more over at a interview here

Librivox identifys the public domain books through Project Gutenberg (the first and largest single collection of free electronic books) to ensure public domain status of texts.

This made me consider would other publishers start offering there books as podcasts, I know if I had the choice to digest content I would much prefer do it through audio,

But even if its heavily encrypted with DRM, with limited plays my guess is that there would be plenty of other students who would also listen more often , then pick up a book to read, particularly if it’s a tough read,

LibriVox is always looking for new volunteers
“unless someone decides to take on the leadership of a new project, it probably won’t happen. We get all sorts of suggestions all the time, and we’re open to just about all of them, as long as someone is willing to spearhead the effort.”

Currently this guy is organising Ulysses, by James Joyce, check it out here, Any other ideas join the forum and get recording !!!!

2007-03-01T21:57:00.000-08:00

Read this very good article how unsigned authors are utilizing podcasting and growing there readership/ listeners. Below is a quote from Mr Sigler who currently has 30,000 listeners

“A lot of no-name authors like me are getting massive grass-roots exposure, and some of us are going to percolate to the top and get on the best-seller list,”

You can find the book which comes in instalments over at Podiobooks. They suggest a donation of 10$ for new covers but frequently people pay over when they enjoy it

2007-02-25T10:20:00.000-08:00

I came across this video via the excellent David Noble podcast at Booruch. This teacher Tim Ryland uses the game Myst to promote literacy in his class, In an age where they say literacy has dropped amongst average children this look like really good use of games and ICT in the classroom. The game helps provides the children with a visual immersive environment that provides a platform they can write about .Some of the sample videos look really impressive with the kids looking really into it ,You can find his blog over here

2007-02-25T03:05:00.000-08:00

Barcamp is back and this time it in Dublin Horrahhh, I really enjoyed the last one, and would encourage everyone to head along to this, The wikki for it can be found here.

2007-02-24T11:26:00.000-08:00

Have just listened to a really good talk about issues with podcasting from the creator of RSS Mr. Dave Winer. This is a very interesting talk not just about future development in podcasting, but also touches on publishing, community,and the role of the media. The podcast can be found over here

2007-02-24T01:04:00.000-08:00

There is a really good podcast over at Conn Ó Muíneacháin Edgecast media winner of the recent digital media awards.This podcast is about using podcasting in the buisness setting and is really good example of how podcasting can increase the knowledge transfer within an organisation.The podcast is a conversation between Michael Byrne of QBC Ltd and conn and is fascinating insight into podcasting benefits within an organization.

2007-02-08T10:23:00.001-08:00

Test

2007-02-07T05:32:00.000-08:00

This look like a potentially good idea at Yodio,or your + audio which claims to be the blogger of audio. The benefits are the claimed ease of use where you can record audio from your mobile phone by ringing a number and recording some audio, this can be easily uploaded, with unlimited storage space. What yodio offers is that is your are selling your audio you get 20 % of royalty based on the price you give. Yodio has a Tour feature, which has real potential if integrated with Google maps and Touristr to be quite successful, and also a card and cast feature which has different options for audio space and the size of supported pictures .

2007-02-06T11:41:00.000-08:00

This looks like a great tool for those privileged view with macs, the Prof Cast looks like a very affordable solution to recoding lectures. Prof Cast makes very easy way to distribute podcast to your audience or classroom. There is also a feature to record over your presentation slides, so the can digest both the audio content with the slides as they where delivered to you. You can read more in the blog here

2007-02-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

Fab channel our now offering all there concerts where you can embed them into your blog.Since there hasn't been any video on the blog for a while thought i might post this.This is from one of my irish favorite bands,the revs

2007-01-29T13:16:00.000-08:00

Many thank to Ewan for this tip, this is great tool for sharing audio files, and involves no registration, just upload and get a link which you give to the person you want to share your audio with. You can set the time of when the link expires from 30 min to 7 days.

2007-01-26T01:39:00.000-08:00

Saw this article about starbucks starting these Mp3 downloading stations in there coffee shops, I can see this be very successful especially if people have 30 mins to spare and they want to listen to a free podcast , Personally I would never buy music in starbucks,but I do see this as a big opportunity for different people to explore there specific interests through podcasting, all while enjoying a hot mucha chucha latte!!

2007-01-24T00:29:00.000-08:00

This is really good idea found over here, the idea is to record an album in 28 days of February sort of like the fast forward film festival only with music, , if anyone would like to help me they are more than welcome, I reckon I have everything equipment wise to it, now all I need is some songs !! should be fun though, and I think you are bound to get something listenable out of 10 songs,

2007-01-18T05:35:00.000-08:00

I am bit late on this , this site does a free montly magazine writing by podcaster for podcasters.This is on its 12th edition now and can be found over here!

2007-01-17T05:32:00.000-08:00

Here is a great series of podcasts I am listening to at present. This series of 24 one-hour programs explores the remarkable collection of music, spoken word, and sound recordings that make up Folkways Records, It features the music of modern day giants like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and golden oldies like with Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie,

2007-01-16T06:04:00.000-08:00

Going to head along to this on saturday,looks like there will be some good talks held down there, check out the wikki which can be found over here

2007-01-10T05:28:00.000-08:00

MIT are offering there course in what called OpenCoarseWare. It is expected that by the end of the year every course offered at MIT will be available on the OpenCourseWare site, including lecture notes, homework assignments, and exams.Check out there site and see what you can learn for free

2007-01-09T00:05:00.000-08:00

Saw this interesting article on how music industry is changing the way it views podcasting and a way to distribute it music. The article explains how this big record producing companies see podcasting as to display there product. I think that they are recognizing that people will happily will use creative commons music and they in effect are missing out. As “Adam Block, senior vice president and general manager of Sony BMG's Legacy Recordings, says the podcasts are "essentially a movie trailer for our projects." He says the possibility of the shows' being copied wasn't much of a concern because the songs are embedded within a long program that is difficult to redistribute.

2007-01-04T23:20:00.001-08:00

Managed to delete most of my old template I was rushing posting something when accidentally saved over my old template , ah well give me a chance to give this blog a facelift, new year ,new look. if any readers out there know is there away blogger can restore your previous template, would be interested to know. I think from now on I will adopt the practice of religiously saving everything!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-04T12:28:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone happy new year,had great xmas,and took a little break from blogging for a bit,Have plenty on new material to write about the next couple of days,

Saw a good article on Rss and how Microsoft are trying to patent it. I am not sure what microsoft intentions i do know that there are a lot of money to be made when targeting people interests., Also very good post in steve rubel blog where is talking about the new google reader a rss aggregator has a new feature, that shows just where your attention goes, this as steve points out is valuable information

Also found a really good site, with tons of really good information about podcasting and how to promote your podcast from Jason Van Orden. Hopefully will get to implement these ideas soon!!!

2006-12-19T06:11:00.000-08:00

Hey a new show is up for those who want to listen,hopefully have more up by the weekend too
Can be found over at http://learn4fungaelige.libsyn.com/, as always any feedback is appreicated!!!!

2006-12-19T05:34:00.000-08:00

Hey this is a very good friend site which i encourage everyone to go over and have a look at it,it can be found at http://www.yaboya.com/ . The site look great and it really makes we want to get off my arse and get into webdesigning again.Hopefully can get some work done over xmas

2006-12-11T08:46:00.000-08:00

Yale University has introduced an official podcast, the Yale Podcast that features lectures and speeches given at the University by professors, alumni and other notable guest speakers.

According to Yale spokeswoman Helaine Klasky, the podcast has received over 50,000 hits in its first week This shows the usage and popularity.

Klasky later says that “For all the lectures, it is important that they stand alone - it is never necessary to follow a series in order to appreciate a single recording.”

I see all third level institutions provide podcasting, to support there students learning as they slowly recognize the need of digital natives. I think with continued usage, institutions will recognize the ability to podcast there content is very achievable and ultimately very appealing for students learning

2006-12-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

I think for Rss feeds to take of it will be the successful seamless integration in applications like Blue Dot. Through this you can keep track of what your friends write about. The reason why mentioning this is because by definition this is what makes a podcast ,it not just posting up audio, but the ability to subscribe to shows this via a RSS feed.

This comes as new Pew Report was made available. In the Report the key points are below.

Some 12% of internet users say they have downloaded a podcast so they can listen to it or view it at a later time. This is a 5% reported growth in downloading compared from a February-April 2006 survey.
Just 1% overall report downloading a podcast on a typical day.
15% of online men say they have downloaded a podcast,
Compared with just 8% of online women.

This report would suggest a failing on the part of RSS feeds for subscribing to podcasts. Perhaps Rss aggregators aren’t good enough yet see blastfeed or threz. Both of these tools help organise and prioritise feeds. But how about including like podzinger into a feed,or a better ranking system in podcasts. Something where you can distinguish between the content you want to hear, and the stuff you want to ignore. Perhaps some visual representation might help. I have noticed over the year of listening to the more popular podcasts, more advertising, and myself having less patience for unrelated content. I think improving the current consumption mechanism will encourage more people to listen.

How do you consume your podcast?

If the content is good enough, and supported on the blog or website, with good links from the show I would tend to stream the audio from that site.

The other interesting point from the report was internet users for six or more years are twice as likely as those who have been online three years or less to have downloaded a podcast (13% vs. 6%).This statistic would again suggest room for more growth. I believe there will be more adopters with a growing infrastructure and distribution mechanisms.

What is not to surprising both from the Washington report below is that people like digesting there content generally from there pc, What would be interesting would be to know the percentage of students utilizing the feeds as way to get there podcasts. I would think that RSS feeds would lend themselves particularly when digesting something like a module in college. Perhaps there would be more involvement if it where more of a collective contribution. See Podserve where as a contributor you might be more inclined to subscribe.

2006-11-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

Praise the lord the first test podcast is now complete and can be found over at http://learn4fungaelige.libsyn.com/

Its far from perfect but you sort of get the idea of where it is trying to go
Hope you enjoy and would apprecitate any comments or suggestions you have!

2006-11-20T09:50:00.001-08:00

As you can see having trouble getting the ping functionallity working on my blog,I am not sure where exactly to put this code,would welcome any knowledgable readers out there who have had this same problem

rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

2006-11-19T05:15:00.000-08:00

There is an argument that people are more inclined to listen to there podcasts in front of there pc. So why would service like Podlinez and Fonpods work. The advantage of these services is that potentially it makes it more accessible to deliver content to user. Particularly through wi fi. Everyone has a phone, and in this way there is a potential infrastructure to deliver content.

I think there success as mentioned before is on phones syndicating themselves with popular podcasting shows. Some people, I believe will be put off by the flat rate of these, as it is phones are already expensive/but say for instance, if they where part of your package when you are signing your mobile phone. Instead of getting 100 free texts a month you choose the unlimited podcasts on your phone rate instead.

I am not sure about the success to these services especially with the threat of the apple Iphone coming out soon Handheld devices are getting more and more ubiqtous, and I think most people would choose to carry it all around in one device rather than having there pockets full with unnecessary baggage.
I believe apple if they get this right could make a serious inroad into phone market as well as tightening there stranglehold on podcasting

2006-11-19T03:25:00.000-08:00

Went to see Bruce Springsteen concert last night in the Seeger sessions tour. I must say I thought it was one of the best concerts I was ever at. There was a 17 piece band on stage, and I have never seen a band look as if they are having as much fun.

After seeing them live I don’t think the record does them justice. They were absolutely brilliant and I urge anyone who has the chance to go see them

However it got me thinking about how podcasting could be utilized in concerts. If you had a RSS stand there and people could pay for the feed recording of the night. I am sure there are plenty of legal issue and highly encrypted DRM management to think of, but I wouldn’t think any consumer would mind that if they got to relive the show, by the time they got home. I think nowadays you are seeing so much old content been podcast as just another distribution mechanism I think this was really utilize the power of feeds to distribute content quickly whilst meeting the demand of the consumers.

2006-11-16T12:57:00.000-08:00

There are lots of varying opinions on podcasting.Many people think that simply posting up an audio of hour long lecture is it necessarily pedagogically enhancing. I believe that many lectures aren’t pedagogically enhancing either. My argument if it is important enough to say once it is important enough to listen back too.

There seems to be a fear from lectures that it will leave them redundant. Certainly although I haven’t started recording yet it is a daunting task posting up your class for the scrutiny of world listeners.

To quote Charles Martin” podcasting requires teachers and students to think more deeply about our content, look for new connections when using media, and be more reflective about the ways we teach and assess students.”

2006-11-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

This is a link to video on a presentation of podcasting in Duke University .Initially there where a lot of negative press with Duke. The college in collaboration with Apple decided to give all there first year students I-Pods .Its was sort of looked upon as jumping into tech without thinking about the teach. What most people didn’t realise is that Mp3 players can be used to record lectures, store computer files, and listen to course-related audio segments. This is beneficial for any student. I believe that Duke were setting up an Mp3 infrastructure for there students.

The interesting features from this video is that are that there is a video option where they record the lecture so that you are not missing out visually. Also how they supplement the podcasts with PDF and other lecture material. All the information is open source and is a paving the way in digital distribution.

In the continuation of the Lectopia trial, since January 1, 2006 Duke has seen an additional 16,623 hits to its recordings (compared to 34,367 since the system was installed), with over 300 additional lectures recorded. That is a total of 500 lectures and usage of over 50,000.hits

2006-11-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

Here is very interesting paper i found in podcasting over at Washington
http://catalyst.washington.edu/projects/podcasting_report.pdf

I must admit I think I have never listened to a podcast on my mp3 player. This is mainly because when I am commuting I like listening to music. Also since I have got a bike I find I am cycling most places, and this requires full attention

One of the perceived failures of podcasting initially was that the inability of people to get Rss feeds. When podcasting first came out I like lot of other people I suspect I subscribe to lots of shows with different topics and content, but soon found my hardrive filling up with lots and lots of shows.

I began becoming more selective and found that I listen most when I am at my desktop using it streaming from the sites. This same view was shared recently by paper which was undertook in Washington University. With 81% listening on there pc computer

2006-11-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

These is also a really good podcast over at david noble booruch speaking to Lyne Horn about utilizing mobile phones in the classroom, as always it is well worth a listen, and give you an idea of teachers using mobile phones constructively in the classroom.

I think that with phones getting better and better soon, mobile phones companies will realise, the market in citizen journalism and education benefits that I think children and parents are both interested in.

There are lots of benefits of been able to listen back to what your studying these include

Reviewability
Clarification of theories, arguments
Self paced learning
Immersive environment in language learning
Helps with pronunciation and flow of language
Helps with note taking

This is where the power is in podcasting.

In the next couple of years students of all ages I believe will be submitting audio files for assessment. I would argue that too much emphasis is on the written side of language particularly in assessment. After all to keep a language alive it must be spoken!!

Student I think with the choice of submitting a written piece of language coursework and oral piece would choose and audio piece every time.

They have the tools, they probably enjoy more than sitting down writing and assessment, and they can share there product with the rest of the class. This way its collective learning!!

2006-11-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

Saw some really good stuff on Web 2.0 and its biggest success, these can be mostly found over at guardian website which is well worth a look.

Blogger used here
Flickr over there
Del.ici.ous down there
Feedburner used to create this Rss feed
Wikkipedia
NetVibes etc

There are some good audio files of interviews and overall it’s a good introduction on how these different softwares started.

2006-11-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

Dr Andy Breen and Dr Siân Jones, both Physics lecturers at the Institute of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at UWA, are using MP3 technology to make voice recordings of their lectures available to their students via the internet in the form of podcasts.

Once recorded, each 50 minute lecture is transformed into a 30megabyte file which can be downloaded by students registered on the course onto an I-Pod or other similar MP3 players from the University’s Blackboard web pages.

Dr Andy Breen has been ‘podcasting’ lectures since the autumn of 2004 and is believed to be one of the first in the UK to use the technology in this way.

“The initial reason for doing this was to provide support for students who were having difficulty taking notes and was driven partly by the Disability Discrimination Act. As things have worked out the podcasts have been far more successful than I had anticipated and are used regularly by a good proportion of our students,” he said.

2006-11-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

This is one of those what are the future hold videos.This sort of make you scared about how competitive things will probably get,have a look and see what you think

2006-11-02T13:55:00.000-08:00

Saw this good article about how mobile phones, versus the whole I pod .Its a bit of an empty argument ,either way however wins it will make it easier to consume podcasts, and I believe you will see more mobile phones companies start koping-on the power of product placement beside some of the more popular podcasts

2006-11-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

Saw this today give the audience what they want and it will grow, it a bit like if you build they will come, in field of dreams. This is a good example of the popularity of podcasts to digest content.

2006-10-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

Reading through David Crystal How language works at the moment. The book is mostly based around how English language works but Its giving me some ideas about how to present these shows. One idea was the have different scenarios like shows. For instance a show simulating having a parent speak to a young child. The child/like us being the learner. Over a series of shows this could help build up basic verbs. It also leaves plenty of room for a bit of fun too

Another idea came from a friend who cousin will be sitting the leaving certificate. As he will be giving her grinds, the idea will be to record some of them and hopefully be able to illustrate some common mistakes and some tips about how to do better in the oral examinations.

2006-10-30T13:26:00.000-08:00

I know good thing come to those who wait, but my god I have been waiting for ages for this feckin microphone. I have heard some quality podcast show made by the microphones of this man, so with any luck it will finally arrive some time this week and I can get going on some shows

2006-10-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Saw this today would probably do this if i had pda.Podcasts are becoming easier to consume.Programs such I think to make easier to consume and manage your podcasts .

avaricum for pdas

2006-10-24T11:41:00.000-07:00

There are big difference between oral communication and written communication.

As Daniel Pink says "Stories are important cognitive events, for they encapsulate, into one compact package, information, knowledge, context and emotion.

What I think is missing in language learning is is more of an emphasis on developing expression. After all that is the fun of learning a language,

One of the real success from podcasting is Chinese pod with Irishman Ken Carroll

Chinesepod.com is consistantly in the top five podcast sites worldwide. Chinese pod is one of the best examples of how Web 2.0 technologies can be applied in education.

“This social aspect that made podcasting so appealing” when Carrol was introduced to it in early 2005.”Podcasting is personable, and can create atmosphere,"

Carrol was attracted by different elements

The price, it is cheap to product the podcasts
The turnaround time = podcasting is quick, particularly in comparison with making a textbooks
Scalability you need one good teacher that can reach potentially millions

The podcasts are free but the extra teaching materials are not. These are available from a subscribers-only learning centre. Transcripts of the lessons require a basic subscription while Flash-based interactive teaching materials require the premium level subscription.

The podcasts can be listened to back at the users pace, creating a more immersive environment. Podcasting creates a connection to the global world. With the addition of a blog the children can have an unlimited amount of responses, feed back potential and most importantly encouragement from outside the classroom.

2006-10-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

2006-10-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

I know this is not related to podcasting, but I m posting it anyway such is the joy I get everyday on getting on my new bike and cycling. I am a firm believer if Jesus was around today he would be cycling. I got a good deal on this from cyclotronic and it cycles like the equivalent to what I would expect a Ferrari to drive like, even though I don’t know how to drive.This it red,fully kitted out with mud guards and lights and it got slicks on it oh yeahhhhhhhhh!!

2006-10-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

I am bit late on this but these guys won best technolgy podcasts/at the 2006 podcasts

if you follow this link this is essential viewing for anyone interested in making there own podcasts

2006-10-05T12:59:00.000-07:00

In July 2005 iLecture Version 3.1 started to support podcasting, providing lecturers with even more options in how they can make their lecturing content available to students. This allowed the students even more flexibility and mobility in how they study.

Although the university was late adopting the podcasting, it has been offering ‘on-demand internet-transmitted lectures’ (or ODILs) lectures for playback. This is the reason it is relevant to this report, as it shows the trends of third level students listening back to there lecture material. This could be indicative of third level institutes that offer there lectures as podcasts.

Below are some of the statistics since Lectopia started in 98

lecture hits for lectopia

1999 UWA Statistics: 1,600 lectures recorded; 30,000 hits
2000 UWA Statistics: 3,100 lectures recorded; 80,000 hits
2001 UWA Statistics: 3,900 lectures recorded; 100,000 hits

2002 UWA Statistics: 5,200 lectures recorded; 150,000 hits

2003 UWA Statistics: 6,800 lectures recorded; 245,000 hits
2004 UWA Statistics: 7,000 lectures recorded; 265,000 hits
2005 UWA Statistics: 9,500 lectures recorded; 380,000 hits

What these figuress represents is that with each year of growth recording lectures it has been matched by downloads.

Also thanks to Ewan blog / is news that Kansas University are going offer 6,000 class podcasts

Now these wont necessarily mean good lectures but this defiantly opens up lectures from the four walls of the classroom. I think this will also challenge educators to update their knowledge /and there delivery of there content

This cant be a bad thing for the students!!!

2006-10-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite podcasts is David Noble .

His podcast charters how he develops his podcasts and other educational technology.

His podcast is based around

Introducing podcasting to the classroom,
His experience learning the new tools,
Useful educational podcasts that he has reviewed
His projects/passions that he is currently involved in.

It takes the audience as a participant learner, and is very accessible, relevant, and educational. One of the benefits of this style is that there is no hierarchy. This can be a problem with the classroom model. At times it can feel like a top down approach. As a result this is very engaging method to learn. Whilst the listener is listening they feel like they are learning along side David. The show has high production values and through his Lappelle mic this is one of the crispest podcasts that I have listened to.

The podcast is very reflective and is almost like an audio learning log.

David has just finished making a podcast directory like David Warlick Educational Podcast Network (EPN) URL .This is a directory full of suitable and appropriate educational podcasts for pupils and there studies. Hopefully In the next couple of weeks I might have something contribute to this!!!

2006-10-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

VerbCast started of in the summer of 2005. Partners in Excellence (PiE), in North Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute and East Ayrshire, ran a four-week project to help a group of 15 to 17-year-olds become confident in the present, perfect, imperfect and future tense of regular and irregular verbs.

Each of the 20 episodes lasts around 15 minutes and concentrates on one verb. They use relaxation techniques, music and examples of the verbs in context to allow the students to maximise their learning time and visualise the formation of French verbs.

Every week the students took an online test as a way of self-assessment.

The learner is encouraged to switch off, close there eyes and relax completely so that you are in the best possible learning environment. The programmes use alternative learning techniques involving relaxation and visualisation.

It is hoped to apply these method when I start doing my own podcast as gaeilge.

2006-10-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

Ok admittedly I have been very poor at this in recent weeks, I have a good excuse for my lacklustre contribution to this writing as I have got my myself a job. I am working in essentially an outsourcing company providing it support for a company in the uk. The job entails entry level support which means troubleshooting/admin/trying to fix the problem/ an escalating it to a team when we can’t fix it. I am enjoying so far and I am finding it has given me a good perspective on how big organisations manage there IT.

In my experience I think we are a good help centre. The average call intake is about 30 -35 calls a day and when we are not taking calls, we are chasing up cases and making sure that they are been actioned.

I did however get a good idea of the frustration of call centres today .I was trying to set up my laser card with paypal .In this case I phoned paypal at a cost of 4.50 per minute only to be kept while the paypal advisor tried to spell my email. This is of course is necessary in there eyes with security etc/after 3-4 mins and minus the 12 euro i had my query answered.

In my short time there I have been surprised at the lack of co ordination in regard to any changes throughout the organisation. Usually the only way people notice anything is when things go wrong and usually we are in the firing line. This made me think of two links that I though t might interest those who find themselves dealing with call centres the first the world is flat and the second is something I saw over at tech crunch with call centre s .i think more and more the user will be paying for the privilege.
see ether.

2006-05-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

Going to head along to the jolly judge on the royal mile today to meet up with some edubloggers.I think its really brillant,that they are so open, and im really looking forward to meeting with them.I have finished my dissertation on "the benifits of podcasting in education",im going to bring along some copies and will look forward to getting some feedback.

2006-04-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

hello

2006-04-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

It is hoped to share some ideas over the next couple of weeks, and then to be podcasting in the summer.

2006-04-03T18:19:00.000-07:00