Podcasting has come a long way since its start as a vehicle for individuals to distribute their own radio-style shows over the Internet. Today’s podcasts can combine audio and video files to provide a rich user experience.
With their ability to be syndicated and downloaded automatically whenever new content is present, podcasts have many practical applications beyond virtual broadcasting. Universities are largely responsible for the increased popularity of podcasting by leveraging it as an educational tool. Now, students have the ability to download a missed lecture to view on their MP3 player, phone, or laptop anywhere, anytime!