Podcast = iPod Broadcast

Podcasting is an audio broadcast that has been turned into an MP3 or another audio file for playback on a computer or digital music player. Recently, podcasting has become more and more popular. Where did the name originate? "Pod" came from the very popular iPod. The iPod has become the dominant digital music player. Even though most of the podcasts are mostly verbal, they can contain some music at times. Podcasts have become available to any subscribers.

Podcasting primarily started because of these broadcasts. However, the term can be used for recording anything and everything back on a digital player. Today, many people broadcast their traveling experiences, museums are making their audio tours available to download, while art students and professors are supplying their "unauthorized" art work on the web.

Technology in the Classroom

Classroom research used to consist of books and the card catalogue found in the school's library. However, the internet has made all of the difference in the past years. Now, most teachers and their students have access to the internet in their classroom. This has changed the way many assignments and research papers have been administered. Research has become the main purpose for children's use of the Internet. Some of the time, the library will not offer the exact topic you are interested in and even so, there is always a limited amount of information. The internet solves this problem. Although there is the overall concern on how accurate the information is, students can receive thousands of searches, providing them with plenty of options to work with.

Teachers themselves can also use the internet to enlighten or draw in the students. Just by using a PowerPoint presentation for a lesson will attract the students. The colored slides, cool fonts, and constant animations can draw the students attention to the screen and allow them to follow the information more clearly, without it being a distraction. Some teachers have gone as far as posting essays, debates, panel discussions, role play, videos, and websites on the internet soley for their class to use.

Blogs in the UK

Blogs have recently hit the UK becoming the newest phenomena. Almost four million people just in the UK alone are contributing to blogs on a daily basis. From teenagers to musicians to political leaders, blogs are being written by all. The entries truly represent the interests of the masses in Britain.

What are the statistics? One out of five blog users update their blog at least once a day. It was also found that women have become more dedicated to their blogs at 23%, where men were only 17%. However, many journalists fear that these same bloggers are trying to steal their jobs. It seems as though they are setting the political agenda. However, this is certainly not the case or the objective all of the bloggers. "They are attracted by the ease with which they can publish online, the instant nature of the medium and the opportunity to make contact with like-minded people all over the world."

Vlogging?

Blogs have become extremely popular over a short period of time. Now, vlogging has become the new craze. People used to post everything from technology ideas, politics, and any sort of topic on their blogs, but now they can take it to the next level. Now these blogs are primarily video types and images, rather than text. This new term, called vlogging, goes hand in hand with podcasts. Podcasting is when people sign up to receive regular downloaded videos. It seems that Apple iTunes podcasting will now include vlog subscriptions as well.

Most of the vlogs portray an experimental feel. Most of the people try and capture moments from their everyday lives. Some post cooking lessons for others to view and use, others post family events such as a child's graduation, but most are short films or videos. The best and most popular vlog visited is Rocketboom. It has put together somewhat of a daily news program. Go check it out!

How are Blogs and Wikis being used in the classroom?

Today, unknown to my knowledge, blogs and wikis have become more and more popular in the classrooms. Many teachers use them because it helps enhance a students writing, brainstorming, and active learning without having to fully learn the technological skills to transferf a file and save. Blogs and wikis are a much easier approach and they get the job done. However, each of them serve a differnet purpose. Blogs are better known as journal entries, where one can place their thoughts and later be commented on. Wikis tend to be used for more encylopedia information, more textbook writings.

Researchers believe that even though students tend to at first be new to blogs, they quickly attach and become 'hooked.' This is because blogs are a way for children to create their own look and be creative. "Blogs look sharp, polished, and publishable right away." This is extremely appealing to younger students. They can format their blog the way they wish without many regulations which they may often experience in the classroom setting. Wikis on the other hand are better for collaborative efforts. Students can work together to come up with logical and useful information. This assignment usually is harder for the instructor to grade and monitor, but helps the students tremendously.