You've heard your students talk about the various podcasts they are downloading to their ipods, but you are wondering what it is and how it can apply to your classroom.

A podcast is a digital media file that is distributed over the internet. The word podcast comes from the two words "iPod" and "broadcast." A podcast is different from other digital media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when new content is added. The easiest way to understand a podcast is to think of a radio show that you like to listen to often. Instead of having to tune in at a specific time you are able to download it to your iPod and listen at your convenience. By subscribing to the show you don't have to remember to go and look for the newest shows, your computer will automatically bring all of the new shows to your computer and then to your iPod.

Podcasts began as just audio files. Now you can find podcasts that are just audio or audio, video, and combinations of media.

The easiest way to begin podcasting is to choose one topic and ask each child in the class to respond to the topic and record their voice. A simple way to do this is to use an iPod and a voice recorder. A voice recorder plugs in to the iPod at the bottom where the dock cord connects. By using this setup the child can take the iPod to a quiet location. After each child records his contribution, bring each comment into an application such as Garage Band or Audacity. The pauses and repeated words can be edited out to save time and to make the listening more enjoyable.

The first podcast I ever made with a class was to ask kindergarteners to share everything the preschoolers would need to know for their upcoming move to kindergarten. One bit of advice is to build suspense with the children and encourage them to keep their ideas to themselves and to try to be different from what they think everyone else with say.

Before making your first podcast, take some time to search online and through iTunes to listen to various examples of what children around the world have shared. When you find something that matches what you teach in your classroom, try that idea with your students! Keep trying what others have successfully done to grow your repertoire of ideas and experience.

Some ideas to begin podcasting:

*Reading and recording writing pieces

*Give advice on various topics

*Ways children avoid doing homework

*Techniques for avoiding eating food you dislike

*Responses to a piece of literature

*Places in the world/country/state/city each child would like to visit and why

Once you've made a few podcasts you might want to consider some of these ideas

*Class newsletters given in an audio format with different groups responsible for different aspects of the class news

*Reporting of learned concepts about any subject of study

*Weird fact of the week

*Word of the week

*Internet safety tips

*An interesting aspect of the city or state that you live in

*Public service announcements

*Interviewing historical figures

*Literature responses

*Podcast school concerts

*Complete and Explain what clichés mean (such as "People in glass houses shouldn't.....or A stitch in time saves nine.")

Besides being great fun and an excellent way to show understanding of a concept, podcasting with your students will encourage them to read fluently when they know that their voice will be heard by the world.

Look at some podcasts made by elementary students at http://ipodsinschool.com/

Kathy Cothran is an elementary media specialist committed to helping teachers turn toys into learning tools. Her vast teaching experience ranges from preschool through Master's level education classes.

For years Kathy has been a "Gadget Girl." She loves technology! Tie that to her extensive teaching background and she has been able to interest, invigorate, and inspire children and teachers to use technology in a rich, exciting manner.

Interested in other ways that toys can become learning tools? Visit http://turningtoysintotools.com