Being a student in an online class makes me a little more familiar to multimedia publishing. However, in my class the podcasts are designed with just the classmates in mind. I can barely grasp the idea of learning a subject on line let alone direct a subject to a whole unknown mass of people. But I am still able to imagine the endless possibilities associated with the subject.
One example that comes to mind is to gear the technology to the students’ preferences. Use what the students already like to. The endless visits to YouTube only prove my point that students rather enjoy podcasts. This continues in their preference for music, making Audacity a great tool for in the classroom and at home amusement. But not only does Audacity allow a better personal way to enjoy music but it allows any thing it touches to become automatically more interesting.
Making learning more interesting seems to be a high priority in the classroom. However, to make learning more interactive is a better way to describe the classrooms of today. So why not use interactive technology to make this happen? It is already happening outside of the classroom from e-books to how to videos on YouTube. Teachers just have to use the tools that their students are already exposed to.
The link provided talks about subscribing to a podcast can allow the reader to be away from the computer. This is an excellent tool in a classroom as often the computers are limited to the amount of students that need one. The article also explains the mere advantage of listening to a human voice. Whether that is listening to or putting your voice out there gives power. Another benefit of pod casting is that it is free or a least inexpensive.
http://www.wtvi.com/teks/05_06_articles/interactive-podcasting.html
saikens 
Stephanie,
I love the idea that you brought out in your post about students and their passion for the internet. I agree that it is smart to use information that the students are already familiar with. Your statement of “work smarter not harder” is a great concept. It benefits the students and the teacher if the teacher is willing to use the sources that the students enjoy and understand such as YouTube. Thanks for your post.
Great comments about Youtube. It’s very true that students know, love and are very familiar with Youtube, so it’s a great idea to use Youtube in the classroom because it would be something that would automatically peak students’ interest and make them actually want to do the program. It would have been interesting to hear your views on exactly how you would plan on using Youtube in the classroom, like what sort of projects you would have your students complete through the use of Youtube. All and all, I thought this was an interesting post because you make an interesting comment on how important it is to use programs that students are all ready familiar with and enjoy using in order to make the protects more student-friendly.
You made a valid point “making learning more interesting has become a priority in the classroom.” I concur, because the mindsets of newer generations have changed and the advancement of technology has overwhelmed traditional classroom settings. However, this is definitely not a bad adaptation, for it alludes to a broader acuity of education simultaneously. Take into account our disturbing economy and all off the cutbacks within the educational system universally, education is becoming a lesser priority for many, whereas the work field is a greater means of survival in the real world.