Advantages & Disadvantages of Podcast

I’ve heard about podcasts before my class today but due to a lack of interest of my path I didn’t seek to delve into the topic. However, my interest was piqued when my lecturer formally introduced her class to Podcast. Interestingly, my perspective completely changed and I’m now thinking of doing a podcast on attractions in Jamaica for my final project. This will be in the form of six 1 minute episodes entitled “Out & About in 60 seconds”.

Okay, so much for my babbling. Long and short of the story is that like any other e-media related ‘program’, podcast has its advantages as well its disadvantages and this blog will address both.

Podcasting is an e-media tool that allows us to send and receive multimedia content which can be downloaded on any portable player. Anyone can subscribe to specific podcast and the content will be downloaded to a computer or an iPod every time a new podcast is available. Podcasts can be played through iTunes or any media player.

ADVANTAGES….

Convenience:  Files can be viewed or listened to at anytime. Files can be easily accessed regardless or time or location so podcast offer flexibility

Easy Reach: Podcast may be archived so persons can access files at anytime

Cost Effectiveness: This is free so persons don’t have to pay to listen to episodes they like

Advertising Potential: A popular podcast with a large listening base can sell advertising slots to local companies or Internet companies to generate revenue.

DISADVANTAGES…..

Accessibility Issues: Persons must have an iPod or mp3 player to listen to the files

Productivity Issues: Since podcast may be listened to at anytime, persons may get easily distracted

Time Consuming: Creating and editing a podcast may take a great deal of time. Planning the direction of the podcast, thinking of a theme, writing the podcast itself and then creating it will consume much of your time