What is a podcast?

 A podcast is a series of spoken words, audio episodes, all focused on a particular topic or theme, like cycling or startups. You can subscribe to the show with an app on your phone and listen to episodes whenever you like on your headphones, in the car or through speakers. 

Many escape the limitations of traditional radio formats to explore brilliantly original approaches and completely niche subjects. For example: 

• They can be any length, from 1 minute news, to a 3 hour in-depth interview

• They can be any frequency, from daily to monthly

• They can be any format, from simple solo shows up to mammoth, multi-person audio dramas.

• They can cover ANY topic, many of which would never make it onto radio.

How can podcasts be used in EFL classrooms?

• Using existing material; to support the studied topics. 

• Teachers can develop their own podcast; synthesize and review topics.

• Innovate in literature class.

• Create a group project; language skills.

Benefits

• Promote learners autonomy.

• Contribute to the development of listening and pronunciation skills; native English podcasts. 

• Unlimited access; any time and place.

• Increase students' motivation; learning through an innovative and attractive way.

• Involve teachers and students.

• Access to unlimited and varied material. 

Podcasting process

Determine:

• The name of the podcast

• The audience

• The content 

• The time

• The platform on which the podcast will be shared. 

 

Apps and Softwares 

• Audacity

• Anchor

• Google Podcast

• Spotify

Examples of podcast

• 6 Minute English

• The English We Speak 

• The Teacher Development Podcast 

• LearnEnglish 

•  Luke's ENGLISH Podcast

What are blogs?

 A blog is an informational web page that consists of  units called “posts”. 

Blog posts are often shorter and less formal than other types of writing.

Blogs are personal journal websites on which a user can type an entry, add images, video and links to links to other websites.

Blogs can be personal, artistic, academic, or professional. 

The use of blogs.

It is a unique form of online publishing that creates opportunities for:

• Producing knowledge
• Sharing research
• Building social networks
• Developing professionally or documenting personal growth.

Blogs examples.

• Getting Smart.
• Mindshift - KQED.
• The Innovative Educator.
• Homeroom.

Softwares to create blogs.

•  Wordpress

• Blogger

• Edmodo

• Tumblr 

Advantages and disadvantages of using blogs.

Advantages:

• Free sites to create blogs.

• Some sites offer templates made in which it is very easy to present the information that you want to publish.

• Blogs make it easier to spread the information.

• Easy to use. You don't need high technical knowledge to manage the entire blog.

• Immediate publication of the information.

• Easy to access.

Disadvantages:

• Blogs can be time consuming.
• Finding time to write regular updates can become a chore.
•  People may leave rude or inappropriate comments.

How can blogs be used in EFL classrooms?

For students, the use of blogs has been found to be an engaging and effective way to promote writing skills, particularly when students peer provide feedback to the blog's writer.  

• To extend the class explanations: links, and materials to download.
• To provide videos with the contents from the class for students to review the topics.

• For peer-assessment. Students can assess and give feedback to their peers' work.

• To publish written tasks.

• To read short stories from literature courses.

• To provide a space for discussion and opinions.

 

Benefits of using blogs in EFL classrooms.

• Blogs can improve the writing and reading skills of the students.

• Support cooperative and autonomous learning.

• Improvement of English grammar skills.