A new website has been launched to support podcasting for Penn State classes.  New features of Podcasts @ PSU include easier navigation, a better way to manage podcasts and resources to learn how to create podcasts.  Click here to visit the Penn State Podcasting section in iTunes.

For those of you unfamiliar with podcasting, the new podcasting site breaks it down pretty well.

Podcasts are simply audio and video content that you can subscribe to. Subscribing ensures you are notified when new content is available. Podcasts are easy to create and are an effective means of distributing rich educational materials.

The new site even gives reasons for podcasting in an academic environment:

Podcasts are an effective educational tool for two reasons. First, people learn better when they experience information with multiple senses. Supplementing text with audio and video will help your audience remember your message.

Second, platforms like Penn State on iTunes U and Blogs at Penn State make it very easy for people to find and access this rich educational content. Removing obstacles allows students to get to the information they need quickly.

As mentioned above, you can subscribe to a podcast within iTunes and the latest episode is downloaded onto your computer and then onto your iPod.  After you’ve watched/listened, sync up your iPod and iTunes will replace the old podcast with the new one.  The best part is that they have podcasts on nearly every topic you can think of.

I’ve created a few podcasts before, and they are a really cool way to experience material.  I’ve even uploaded a few to iTunes U (which the Podcast @ PSU is based on) for class projects.  I’ve heard of a few professors that utilize podcasts in conjunction with thier lectures.  So check out the website.  You can even listen to lectures given by professors at MIT, Harvard, Standford, etc.