Category Archives: iPads

Exploring Podcasts on the iPad

This weekend I spent a little time exploring the Podcast app that is part of the iPad interface. I’d like to use this post to explore a little about what a podcast is and how the Podcast app works. Maybe I’ll even add a screencast video before posting!

First let’s start with the basics: what is a podcast, anyway? Podcasts are series of digital media episodes in either audio or video format that can be subscribed to and downloaded to be played back on a computer or mobile device. The word is a mashup of the words “broadcast” and “iPod” since the popularity of the iPod device encouraged the popularity of podcasts in general. The podcast episodes can be added to a mobile device and then accessed later off line. There are podcasts available on nearly every imaginable topic.

So how, exactly, does the Podcast app for iPad work? The basic premise is pretty simple: The app links the user directly to any podcasts hosted in iTunes that you are subscribed to as well as individual episodes of any podcasts you may have downloaded to the iPad. When the iPad has access to wi-if, the podcasts can be downloaded to the iPad. Any time later, whether the iPad has wi-fi or not, the Podcast app can be used to access and play the episodes that have been downloaded. You can remove the episode after listening or viewing so that the storage space on your device can used for something else. The Podcast app will play audio in the background as you use other apps, so multi-tasking is possible! Here is a little video with some screenshots and explanations of what you might see as you use it. (I made this video using the iPad app Educreations which hosts the end result on their website. It is embedded here if you’re reading my blog on a computer, but if you’re reading it on an iPad, it will display as a link with the link to the free app.)

If you noticed the tags that I included for this post, one I chose was professional development. I do see podcasts as having great potential for providing professional development for teachers. Finding and following podcasts in your subject area can enhance professional knowledge. There are also podcasts on educational issues and pedagogy that can increase of professionalism. Do a little searching on the Podcast iTunes Store and see if you can find a podcast or two to follow for pleasure and one for professional reasons!