The use of podcasting as an information tool has become very popular in our nation’s high schools. School podcasts cover everything from student-produced current events shows to teacher-produced curriculum and lecture announcements. Many schools even have iPod subscription links through the Apple iTunes store. Students can easily subscribe and receive every edition of their school’s podcast automatically downloaded to their iPod.

Now Apple Computer is promoting podcasting as a teacher development tool. They are offering a free white paper that gives ideas for using the iPod for professional development.

Here is an excerpt from the site…
“Podcasting allows administrators to update faculty—even an entire district—in just minutes. With a single click, teachers can subscribe to podcasts and have future content delivered automatically. An ever-growing collection of professional development material, both commercial and free, is available online from the iTunes Store. This is the perfect way to expand ongoing training programs, without straining district resources.

The iPod is an affordable development tool that can scale to fit almost any technology plan. And once in teachers’ hands, it can do even more: from recording notes and podcasts, to transporting digital files back and forth to school, on any Mac or PC. All this, in the palm of your hand. This is the iPod for professional development — an unexpectedly powerful tool for education.”

apple computer, digital files, ipod, itunes, podcasting, podcasts, teacher development