PODCASTING

• A podcast is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and downloaded through web syndication.

• Pod casting is a method of publishing audio files (usually MP3s) to the Web, which are then made available through subscription and automatically downloaded to a personal computer or portable MP3 player.

• The mode of delivery differentiates podcast from other means of accessing media files over the Internet, such as direct download, or streamed webcasting.

• Commonly used audio file formats are Ogg Vorbis and MP3.

• A list of all the audio or video files currently associated with a given series is maintained centrally on the distributor's server as a web feed, and the listener or viewer employs special client application software known as a podcatcher that can access this web feed, check it for updates, and download any new files in the series.

WIKIS

• Wiki is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser.

• Wiki is a combination of a CGI script and a collection of plain text files that allows users to create Web pages “on the fly.”

• Wiki supports hyperlinks and has simple text syntax for creating new pages and cross link between internal pages on the fly.

• Wiki is unusual among group communication mechanisms in that it allows the organization of contributions to be edited in addition to the content itself.

• Easiest and most effective Web-based collaboration tool in any instructional portfolio.

• Provides direct (and immediate) access to a site’s content, which is crucial in group editing or other collaborative project activities.

• In addition, wikis are being used as e-portfolios, illustrating their utility as a tool for collection and reflection.

• Can use wikis to collaborate on projects, whether editing a textbook, preparing a journal article, or assembling a syllabus or reading list.

• Wiki enabled projects can provide various levels of site access and control to team members, offering a fine-tuning element that enhances the teaching and learning experience.