Podcasts

PODCASTING

Podcasting is a form of audio broadcasting on the Internet. The reason it became linked with the iPod in name was because people download podcasts (audio shows) to listen to on their iPods. However you don’t have to listen to podcasts only on iPods; you can use your computer with some music software such as Windows built-in Media Player or my favourite player, Winamp, or other portable music players (iPod competitors) such as Creative Zen or iRiver. It really doesn’t matter, as long as you have some way to play music on your computer you will be able to listen to podcasts.

One of the big hurdles facing podcasting at the moment is the difficulty everyday Internet users experience creating a podcast. Recording, uploading, hosting and distributing podcasts require some level of technical proficiency that presently is beyond the average web surfer.

Podcasting and the Future

Podcasting is the start of a new media content revolution that is empowering individuals with the ability to globally distribute their ideas and create a following of like minded fans. It is impacting traditional industries such as journalism, education and entertainment allowing anyone to freely create and distribute news and media.

And this is only the beginning.

Videocasting, the big brother of podcasting, is the next step allowing individuals to create their own video content for the world to hear AND see. Over time television, radio and the Internet will merge into one channel of content distribution that will provide an unheard of level of personalisation delivered on demand in real time or timeshifted.  For today, have some fun, download a podcast or record your own and become the next Internet star.

BTEC National Diploma IT Students have created some podcasts for Communication and Employability Skills units which I will upload soon!

Watch this video on how to create your own podcast