Podcasting with Cell Phones in schools...

Probably one of the easiest ways to use cell phones in learning is through podcasting. While podcasting is often done with iPods or audio editing devices such as Audacity, podcasts can be created more easily through cell phones (coupled with a few of my favorite FREE web2.0 resources). For example, instead of recording a podcast on an iPod and then loading it to itunes and uploading it to your webspace, you can simply dial a number on your cell phone, narrate your podcast, and then hit the # sign to publish immediately online. This can all be done with the assistance of websites like Gabcast(free), Gcast(free), Evoca(free & paid options) and Hipcast(paid). All of these sites allow you to create an account that will store your cell phone audio recordings! Fantastic! You simply dial a toll-free number and then record your podcast. All three sites also give you an RSS feed so people can subscribe to your podcast. Each site also allows you to post or embed the podcast into your blog, MySpace, Wiki, or other website. The best part is that your students do not have to have an iPod or special computer software...in fact they do not even have to have a computer. Simply a phone (since all the sites have a toll-free number, students who do not have their own cell phones can simply use a landline!). So, how can cell phone podcasts be useful for classroom learning?....here are a few ideas:
1) Conducting Interviews
2) Radio Broadcasts
3) Radio Theater (listen to a great example from St. Joseph's K-8 here).
4) Poetry Slam
5) Oral presentations
6) Recording Field Trip experiences (such as sounds at a zoo, or observations)