User:Podyacheva Yulia

What is a Podcast?
A podcast is an audio and/or video file that is 'broadcast' via the Internet and can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device such as an MP3 player for listening/viewing. The word podcast comes from combining iPod and broadcast, iPod being the brand name for the Apple portable MP3 player.

The advantages of using podcasts:

 * It can be set up and used by teachers and/or learners.
 * It can be used to connect learners to other communities of learners, for example to a class in another country.
 * The ideas and content can be generated and created by learners, either individually or collaboratively.

How does it work?
The closest analogy to a podcast is that of a radio or TV show but the difference is thatyou can listen to or watch a podcast on a topic that interests you whenever you want to. A podcast can be downloaded automatically to your computer using RSS, podcatching software. Typically, a podcast will consist of a 'show' which is released either sporadically or at regular intervals, for example every day or once a week. A podcast can be on any topic, and can include music and video. Video podcasts are also known as Vodcasts or PodClips. A podcast can last anything upwards of a few minutes to an hour or more. Podcasts can be authentic - for example, BBC radio shows are often downloadable as podcasts - or specially made for language learners. Podcast directories are one place to start looking for podcasts. Teachers or learners can direct their learners to podcasts already available on the Internet, for self-study purposes, or even use them for listening in class via a computer. These can be EFL/ESL podcasts made especially for learners, such as those found at the Englishcaster directory or authentic podcasts.