Podcasting and BLOG are synonyms. I think both of them belong to mobile assisted language learning, depending on internet-based spread. However, there are some differences between them. The concept of podcasting stemmed from the combination of “iPod” and “broadcast”, mainly delivering the radio and video through the internet. Apple published iPodder in September, 2004, which was regarded as the sign of the beginning of podcasting. However, BLOG refers to that people are able to spread their ideas associated with words and pictures through internet.
With the development of technology, the knowledge is experiencing rapid evaluation every day. The time for classroom-based teaching is limited; teachers are not able to offer the whole knowledge within one class time. Therefore, using advanced podcasting technology to promote students` self-learning is essential. To illustrate my views, three advantages of podcasting are presented and discussed below.
To begin with, podcasting can make review handy to some extent. Students are able to keep absorbing what they didn`t understand in class by logging in website, adding more informations which are radio-based or video-based to their notebooks. This process is able to refuel students overcoming the knowledge missed in class. Next, podcasting can make students motivated. Because of its promptness, students are able to log in their podcast website to strengthen their weakness submitting their questions to teacher. Then teacher can respond feedbacks immediately. This process can resolve students’ academic problems timely and make students feel that they have achieved something successfully. I also believe this kind of virtuous cycle corrects students` study attitude and make them motivated. Last but not least, podcasting can highlight the ability of telecollaboration. Through podcasting, learners are able to establish activity freely. Students can use the function button, “adding friends”, to collaborate with other people as well as updating own experience. Thus, students are able to share, collaborate and compete with each other.
The podcasting, mainly delivering the radio and video through the internet, has visual, auditory benefits for students to learn knowledge including learning language. Students are able to remember what they saw through watching. They also can know what they heard through listening. Anyway, according to Kukulska Hulme, the author believes that “MALL (e.g. Podcasting) differs from CALL in its use of personal, portable devices that enable new ways of learning, emphasizing continuity or spontaneity of access and interaction across different contexts of use”.(Kukulska Hulme, 2008, p162.). In another word, I think people can podcast anything in anytime at anyplace personally as well as to have multi-tasking or active engagement. The technology content is easy to learn and inexpensive.
However, I was wondering whether there are any disadvantages of podcasting. For example, we can`t make sure that everyone has good quality podcasting device or content. So, is the audio poor quality? Is the content poor quality? Does the podcasting have a difficult accessibility?