How is a podcast different from an audio file?

You upload audio files, people have go to your site and either download or worse, are forced to stay there to listen to embedded files. Upload a file Listeners go to site Listeners listen or download audio

Upload a new file Listeners go to site Listeners listen or download audio When you upload NEW files, users once again have to go to your site.

Podcasts are not audio files on web sites Upload a new file Listeners find your feed subscription link Listeners subscribe File downloads RSS PODCAST

Podcasts are a series of audio files available by subscription Upload a new file File FEEDS out to subscribers automatically In fact, ours qualified for an ISSN… RSS PODCAST

Listeners can subscribe to podcasts from many sites. All they need is free podcast or RSS reader or aggregation software iTunes is one example of a podcast aggregator

iGoogle and other RSS aggregators allows users to display multiple RSS feeds of all types – text only and the text components of video and audio feeds

However, users still have to go to the web site and download the audio file.

Podcast aggregators like iTunes or Juice can be set to run anytime --so listeners don’t have to wait for an audio file to download. Many podcast listeners will just set up their aggregator and go to bed. In the morning, new audio files from multiple sources can be waiting for them.

Freeing data from destinations means that learners can transform any place into their own Personal Learning Environment.

And THAT’S the power of podcasts – Empowering users to receive and use information when and where they want!