Podcast Collaborative Learning

Podcast is a series of audio files (sometimes accompanied by video images) released episodically through the internet. Podcasters create their episodes regularly (either daily, weekly, monthly, etc) and upload them into a server, so that podcast users can download the new episodes into their computer or directly into their pocket device using RSS feeds.

• Podcasting is a free service that allows Internet users to pull audio files (typically MP3s) from a podcasting Web site to listen to on their computers or personal digital audio players. The term comes from a combination of the words iPod (a personal digital audio player made by Apple) and broadcasting. Even though the term is derived from the iPod, you don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast. You can use virtually any portable media player or your computer.
• Broadly speaking, podcasting and vidcasting can be used in order to enhance communication, flexibility and accessibility to learning:

- INCREASED COMMUNICATION: Podcasts contribute to the creation of a relationship based on continuous communication and interaction between teachers and students.
- INCREASED FLEXIBILITY: Since new, digital materials are highly portable, students can arrange their own study timing and schedule.
- INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY: Students can access their digital learning materials ‘anytime, anywhere’.

http://ijilth.mobilearn.es/pages/vols/vol02/ijilth1.2.001.pdf