ITunes Podcasts

I listened to the following podcasts on iTunes: SmartBoard Lessons Podcast, KidCast, ConnectLearning, EdTechtalk, MacBreak Weekly, and This Week in Photography. As suggested by Ms. Averitt, I subscribed to them so I could move around within them and listen to different sections. I am not a fan of talk radio, which is what they reminded me of, however, I can see the benefits of podcasting for those who are interested. It is a good way to give and receive information and ideas.
In the Smartboard Lessons Podcast with Ben Hazzard and Joan Badges, the format was basically a conversation between the two. The discussion was very informal and they moved easily through the material. The main theme was "Wrapping up the School Year" and they discussed issues like math in the movies and iPod applications in the classroom. They also discussed getting kids engaged in learning. KidCast with Dan Schmit was more like a reporter doing an individual story. His subject was video podcasting. He went through some advantages of both video and audio podcasting. He also answered questions emailed by his listeners.
ConnectLearning with David Warlick and EdTechTalk both used an open forum setting but in different ways. The ConnectLearning podcast was set up in a room with a number of media coordinators in North Carolina. The host asked and answered questions from the audience and invited the guests to offer ideas they had. The EdTechTalk podcast featured the host speaking with guests in various locations. You could hear airwave disturbance and background noise with the guests. The topic was "Making New Connections with Voice Thread."
MacBreak Weekly and This Week In Photography were both more like radio talk shows with music and commercials. They both focused on technical issues, products, and accessories. MacBreak Weekly covered MacIntosh computers while This Week In Photography covered cameras, accessories, and a news story concerning Apple iPhone among other subjects.
Although, as previously stated, I don't care for talk radio, I can see the benefits of audio podcasting. They can be very effective tools for just about anyone, from educators to mechanics, because they can cover any topic. I think they would be very beneficial in the classroom. Teachers could use them to draw interest in many subjects and students would very likely enjoy them immensely.