Although it has yet to receive the recognition it deserves, podcasting, a  technological dream, certainly can take students to the next achievement level. Podcasting may also be the answer in helping to alleviate some educator headaches in daily job responsibilities, documentation, and in providing extended learning opportunities for students. While it certainly does have its limitations just like anything else, podcasts without a doubt speak volumes to students that we strive to understand and educate today.

If you were a parent or guardian, how much would you pay for a teacher to go home with your student to work on content material in the comfort of your own home? What if that teacher was flexible enough to work with your student on material they were learning in class then wait while they had basketball practice, cheerleading, marching band practice, drama club, or choir rehearsal, only to pick right back up with where they left off last? Customized education that meets the needs of today's overextended students, no matter the time, or place. That's podcasting!

Wordle of "Why Podcast?"

Switch gears - you're a teacher. You're out for the day to attend professional development training. Sound too good?  Alright, let's scratch that. Let's make it - You are a teacher out for the day because you decided to take a personal day just to catch up on grading, lesson plans, and hopefully squeak in some free time to spend with your loved ones. While this time is important to your success and personal well-being, fact of the matter is that the expert in that classroom is out for the day. The lesson certainly will not have the same impact or be carried out precisely as you like. Minor details may be missed that are crucial to students understanding the content thoroughly. Maybe a day out of class isn't a luxury you can afford since your curriculum is already jammed packed before you start adding in school events, missed school days, and students out for illness. Think of what you could accomplish or how your students would react if your lesson was done using a podcast. Class assignments and announcements, could be given with specific details before the lesson begins. Students could then be instructed every step of the way by the familiar voice they've grown to know. The substitute teacher all the while would circulate around the classroom, focusing their efforts toward those students really needing the help instead of being saddled with carrying out an unfamiliar lesson to unfamiliar students as best they can.

Scenario three, you're a middle schooler and like most your age, you tend to forget or not pay as close attention as needed at certain times. Although you've written the homework down in your planner, on your hand, had it texted to you by a friend, and IM'ed to you online, you still don't have all the full details. You know there was something specific your science teacher said about one of the homework problems. Now, what was it?  Does this sound familiar? Educators, let's face it, it's part of the age. Most educators and parents will say that something weird happens during ages 13 - 15. It is part of the beast that middle school faculty and staff choose to work with, and there is a special place for all of those brave souls. Solution? Instead of fighting a lost battle, your middle school teacher got smart and podcasts homework assignments, which are placed on the class website in the same place it can be found every night. You, being the problem solving teen that you are navigate to the class website, find tonight's homework podcast, listen attentively and take notes, and complete the homework successfully earning full credit since you followed your teacher's instructions to the T.