Podcasting—an online posting of an audio recording that can be heard through a computer or downloaded to a mobile device like an iPod®—is following blogs and online classes as yet another popular technology teaching tool. The national trend emerged in 2004 and continues to grow. iTunes lists more than 400 podcasts from K–12 classes, while Yahoo has nearly 900 education-related podcasts. Some are produced by teachers wanting to reach other educators with teaching tips, while many are created by students.
Proponents say podcasting enables students to have the flexibility to watch or listen to lectures at their leisure. The new tool also allows students in distance education courses to forego scheduled viewings of classes. Critics argue the use of podcasts could rob students of the opportunity to brainstorm with their peers in class and increases the digital divide.
Some schools forbid the use of iPods in the classroom. Teachers say the electrical devices are drowning out their lessons and are becoming difficult to detect as students conceal them under hats, hoods, or hair. But other educators are finding the use of iPods to be a beneficial tool for teaching students in every subject, including science.
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