Podcasting

Podcasts are audio files that can be used in a web 1.0 manner for information transmission or behaviourist drilling, or in a web 2.0 manner where students create their own podcasts. Web 3.0 is now also making an appearance with AI-powered creation and editing software. Podcasts were originally seen as associated with mobile learning, since students can load them onto mobile devices like MP3 players (including iPods, which is where the term podcasting comes from, but note that Apple’s iPod line was discontinued in 2022) or smartphones, and listen to them while on the move. However, research has consistently shown that most students prefer to listen to educational podcasts and access associated materials when they are stationary, whether they are using a mobile device or a laptop or desktop computer. This has the advantage of leaving users free to fully concentrate on the educational materials, to view supplementary visuals and handouts on the screen, and to easily make notes or complete exercises.

Traditionally, the term podcast referred to an audio file, potentially with accompanying texts (usually in PDF format), images (often in slide format) and videos, which formed part of a series to which users could subscribe, downloading a new episode each time one became available. Such podcasts were distributed by syndication feeds like RSS, with new episodes being downloaded to a computer or other device using podcatcher software (with a well-known example being iTunes).

Nowadays, however, most people use the term podcast to refer to any audio file online, whether or not it is syndicated (i.e., part of a series). This is easily the dominant usage of the term today. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly common for podcasts to be accessed via streaming services like Spotify (which is designed for streaming but allows downloads to premium accounts) or Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (which allow streaming or downloads) and listened to on any device.

As briefly mentioned above, podcasts are used in two major ways in education:

• • in a web 1.0 manner, with educators recording them and students simply being invited to listen. Such podcasts can range from lecture-style presentations to intensive language learning lessons (where students might be asked to repeat words or phrases as part of language drills). This is referred to by Oliver McGarr as substitutional podcasting (if it replaces in-class delivery of material) or supplementary podcasting (if it contains additional material). The term coursecasting may also be used to refer to substitutional podcasting of lectures. Substitutional and supplementary podcasts offer many advantages in terms of recycling of material, whether that involves listening to a lecture a second or third time, or listening repeatedly to language learning materials. While videos are more commonly used to support a flipped approach, podcasts may also be used to deliver pre-class study materials to students. Because podcasts offer users the flexibility to engage in other activities while listening, they may have certain advantages over videos, which require users to watch as well as listen.
  • in a web 2.0 manner, with students being asked to create their own podcasts, whether individually or collaboratively, often for publication on the web. This is referred to by Oliver McGarr and others as creative podcasting. Spoken language is foregrounded, thus helping to balance out the orientation towards written text typical of many other web 2.0 technologies.

There are many thousands of educational podcasts already available. They can be accessed through services like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify. You can also search for podcasts at AudioBoom, PodBean and PodOmatic. Educational podcasts by and for teachers can be found through the Education Podcast Network.

Teachers and students can record and edit their own podcasts using a variety of software available on computers or smartphones. AI-enhanced creation and editing software includes Descript, Podbean AI, Podcastle, and Wondercraft. Options for hosting educational podcasts include Podbean for Education Podcasting, PodOmatic and AudioBoom, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Where podcasts are not intended to be made accessible to the wider public, it is also possible to simply share them through LMSs or a range of web 2.0 services.

Vocaroo allows audio files to be uploaded to private URLs which can be shared with the target audience. Kaizena, which integrates with Google Docs, is designed to allow teachers to leave audio feedback on students’ work, but students could also be asked to leave feedback on each other’s work. Newer AI-powered tools can automatically turn documents and notes into podcasts; examples include Google’s NotebookLM (which produces discussion-based podcasts) and PodLM. Students could be tasked with critiquing and improving on such automatically generated artefacts.

For tips on using podcasts in education, you might like to check out some of the following:

• • Podcasting in Education: What Are the Benefits? (Colin Gray/The Podcast Host, 2022)
  • How to Create Your Own Podcast: A Guide for Students (IvyPanda, 2023)
  • Podcasting in Education (Podcastle, 2023)
  • Starting Your Own Podcast: A Guide for Students (NPR, 2023)
  • Podcasts in the Classroom (Kathy Schrock, 2024)

More references about podcasting are available on the Publications on mobile learning page. Variations on podcasting generally involve introducing visual elements like videos or animations; for more details on these kinds of options, see the videos page of this website.

Last update: October 2024.