Conversations in Education is a podcast on current educational topics from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Each show focuses on a current topic related to teaching and learning, and brings you a collection of stories exploring that theme. The podcasts feature a wide spectrum of education-relevant content including research, interviews, and on-the-scene looks at what's happening in today's classrooms.

Teaching for the Future

Teaching for the Future is a nicely polished education podcast about implementing media and technology literacy. It is presented by an artist from new Jersey who now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is a grad student at Lesley University. Dave LaMorte talks about the importance of media literacy and educational technology in the classroom and how it can change education forever.

ASCD Talks With an Author

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) interviews authors of ASCD-published works. These thought-provoking interviews present a unique author's perspective on the content and creation of their work, expanding on topics presented in works for sale by ASCD. As with the ASCD library, topics vary from pedagogy to research, with a scattering of trend and issue information to spice things up.

The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement

These podcasts, presented in conjunction with the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL), offer discussion and insight about improving learning through the use of validated evidence. The podcasts are supported with extensive research and documentation available on the CSRI website.

Learning Matters: The Merrow Report

K-12 and Higher Ed issues presented by John Merrow, a veteran education reporter for The NewsHour on PBS. Segments run from hard-hitting reports to perspectives presented by political pundits presented in a news-like and very polished format.

Coming of Age: An Introduction to the New Worldwide Web

A podcast series based on the popular book of the same name. These podcasts provide a set of stories, presented by leaders in education and technology, describing how Web 2.0 technology can be used in schools, including the use of technology in support of learning and fostering individualized curriculum.

Intelligenic KidCast: Podcasting in the Classroom

KidCast is the offspring of a professional development course focused on introducing students and teachers to podcasting. The experience netted the podcast, as well as a book entitled KidCast: Podcasting in the Classroom, and a website rich in content about introducing podcasting to your students, administrators, and fellow teachers.

Learning and Teaching Scotland

Learning and Teaching Scotland is an organization dedicated to the development and support of the Scottish curriculum. LT Scotland works with the Scottish Executive and Education authorities to provide insight and guidance in moving forward the national education improvement agenda. The podcasts primarily highlight seminars from SETT 2005 and 2006 - the Scottish Learning Festival.

Minneapolis Public Schools

Minneapolis Public Schools was one of the first education organizations to offer broadcasts of school board meetings in audio format. The meetings are archived on the site and provide an intriguing look into a district with more than 40,000 students. The broadcasts are unedited and presented in their entirety.

School Library Journal

The School Library Journal's podcast series features a variety of interviews, commentary, reviews, and readings from children's literature. As with most of the site's other content, these podcasts are professionally produced and contain well-written content. There's even a series on School Library 2.0 that features podcast information for librarians. Between podcasts and a full website, there is lots to explore here.

Return to Top

City of St. Charles School District Teacher Tech

Our own customized training and reference resource, Teacher Tech explains classroom technology in everyday English, and provides illustrated step-by-step procedures that walk you through topics such as Classroom Podcasting, Building Your Class Website, etc. Also available via Teacher Tech are all the issues of the Teacher Tech News, your classroom technology newsletter. Teacher Tech is a work in progress, and will continue to grow as new technologies are added to our schools.

Podcast for Teachers, Techpod

In its Live, from the Bronx! podcast, Fordham University's Regional Educational Technology Center (RETC) offers interviews and lectures about technology through the voice of leading educators. Podcasts cover how-to content on software applications, interviews with notable or exemplary educators, education technology leaders, and more.

Engadget

This podcast is a collection of technology news from around the world - mostly centering on the latest technologies and breaking news. It's presented monthly in a "digest" format - bite-sized stories collected into one podcast.

Teach with Tech

Indiana University School of Education's Instructional Consulting Office presents a podcast designed to help education faculty, preservice, and inservice educators integrate all kinds of technology into teaching and learning. Podcasts contain a wide variety of useful information including featured website reviews and discussions of emerging technologies. The accompanying website (a blog) offers links to all the items mentioned in each podcast.

Edupodder

From the hallways and pizza joints around San Jose State University, this podcast offers a look at key issues in podcasting and notes from students taking courses in journalism and communications at SJSU. The topics vary greatly from technology discussions to conversations with key school personnel related to podcasting and other technologies.

Return to Top
 

Mathtutor

Key math concepts - one minute at a time. This site offers basic tutorial help in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. The presentation is clear and the math flawless, with video examples of each concept.

Dan's Mathcast

Presented by Dan Bach, a community college math teacher at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, this podcast is a collection of news, events, and challenge problems based on real-world math. Examples are delivered, then explained, and challenge problems offer opportunities for moving into more advanced math. While most podcasts are audio-only, Dan offers a couple of video segments as well.

The Math Factor

This podcast is actually a real, live radio broadcast that airs on KUAF 91.3 FM from Fayetteville, Arkansas. The program offers a "puzzle approach" to basic math presented by a math professor at the University of Arkansas. Each puzzle is presented, and then the answer, including how to work things out, is provided along the way, or in the following week's podcast.

Return to Top

Astronomy a Go-Go!

This podcast covers key concepts in astronomy, as well as news, events, and viewing activities keyed to the current date. During each show, host Alice Few presents new music and activities to go along with information and viewing tips. The show notes include sky map links and a list of objects and music presented.

The Jodcast

Astronomy from the source. Join astronomers from the University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK) for news updates, interviews with prominent astronomers, and lively discussions of anything out of this world. The podcast features night-sky viewing tips, listener questions, and much more.

The Wild Classroom

A crew of science teachers explores science topics with audio and video podcasts direct on-location in exotic places such as Panama, Hawaii, Sweden, and the less exotic, but just as interesting Wisconsin and Montana. The accompanying website hosts lesson plans and lots of great links to other related resources.

Science Update Podcast

The AAAS Science Update Podcast features five stories about the latest discoveries in science, technology, and medicine. The podcast, based on a popular radio show heard daily on stations around the US, is written for anyone who appreciates science and wants to know more about the world around them.

Science on the Wild Side Podcast

Each podcast features news, science stories, and humorous educational songs from the Singing Science Teacher. Designed primarily for elementary and middle school students, the short segments might be a great way to enhance the study of one of the many topics covered on the site.

EMS People do Cool Stuff!

Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) offers a video perspective on how scientists, engineers, and other professionals work together in a program designed to help students study the environment. The podcast topics often feature students sharing their excitement about choosing science careers and areas of study.

Scientific American: 60-Second Science

One of the leading science magazines presents short segments about the latest developments in science and technology. The one-minute segments cover short subjects in space and physics, health, biology, archaeology, and more.

NASAcast

Stay connected to what's new at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This podcast offers a wide variety of minute-long updates on research, shuttle flights, the space station, space research, and much more.

Instant Anatomy

Cambridge University presents continuing education courses in human anatomy. The course material is very high level, and can accompany simple or complex lab or dissection work.

Return to Top
 

Childrensbookradio.com

Childrensbookradio is a podcast dedicated to discussing the world of children's books. Each week, the podcast features a classic and/or current children's book, accompanied by listener reviews and tips on upcoming publications. The website has an extensive archive of past episodes.

PoetryFoundation.org

Weekly podcasts from PoetryFoundation.org feature high-quality recordings of poems, interviews, and poetry documentaries. The presentations flow like a fast-paced newscast and also feature tips for other sites across the web where you'll find information about classic and modern poetry and poets.

Shakespeare-upon-iPod

This series, based on the published biography Shakespeare By Another Name, introduces nine discussions and readings that focus on the life story of Elizabethan playwright Edward deVere, Earl of Oxford - the man who many believe wrote under the pen name William Shakespeare.

Storynory

A collection of children's short stories read by lively readers. The site offers free audio stories for kids, ranging from popular classics, such as The Princess and the Pea, to lesser-known children's books. The accompanying website also offers reviews and more than 100 stories in its archive.

Radio Disney Now!

A light-hearted interview series with young celebrities. Promises up-close and personal discussions with the hottest artists, bands, and celebrities, through exclusive interviews. The decidedly Disney-esque style (lots of dazzle, glitz, and glamour) keeps students' attention and offers a few nuggets of wisdom.

Princeton Review Podcasts

The pros at Princeton Review present a variety of podcasts that help students increase their vocabulary, gain insight and practice with the LSAT, or help parents and teachers grab tips for studying for standardized tests.

Reading Rockets

Reading Rockets offers specific tips and techniques for teaching reading to younger students. Using video clips from Reading Rockets' PBS television series Launching Young Readers, the video podcast captures examples of how effective educators use games, simulations, and other fun activities for basic reading skills.

The Bob and Rob Show

A tongue-in-cheek podcast by a Yankee and a Brit centering on slang and idioms. The podcast takes the form of a variety show, performed live. Bob and Rob are colorful teachers who live in Japan, where they both teach English at the same university. This is an excellent way to use entertaining content to teach content like idioms, slang, and word play.

Return to Top
 

iHistory is a project of Eaglehawk Secondary College in Bendigo, Australia. It offers local history tours presented in podcast format by a very creative high school teacher.

The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow

Personal narratives from people who experienced, endured, and survived Jim Crow. Jim Crow wasn't a person, but the personification of a system of government-sanctioned racial oppression and segregation in the U.S. The perspectives presented in these podcasts are real and well-supported with maps, tools, lesson plans, and more.

Military History Podcast

A collection of podcasts about current and historical events presented by an unlikely and very professional correspondent - a teenager. Each segment is short, and covers a single topic.

Talking History

A podcast presented through the auspices of the University of Missouri and the radio voice of the Organization of American Historians (OAH). The host offers insight, interviews, and perspective on social change, war, and other historical elements that impact the fabric of American life.

Discover Atlas

Based on its amazing high-definition TV series, Discovery Atlas provides a video look at the people and culture from amazing places around the globe. The video podcasts are presented as full segments in standard format that can be played on any MP3 player that supports video. (As well as on a classroom PC or interactive whiteboard.)

National Geographic

National Geographic offers a variety of podcasts focusing on history, science, and geography. National Geographic News is a weekly broadcast of interviews, quizzes, and science and nature news. National Geographic World Talk features interviews with explorers, photographers, and other interesting people from around the world.

History Podcast

A wide and deep library of short podcasts on key historical figures. You'll find perspectives on everyone from Lady Godiva to Stonewall Jackson hidden in the archives. Each segment focuses on the historical impact of key figures and offers a discussion about how these figures fit into the bigger picture in politics, society, and life.

History According to Bob

Professor Bob Packett presents stories of real people and enlivens discussions about historical figures. Each podcast contains background information, anecdotes, and a scattering of wit.

This 31-year veteran educator presents a current podcast for free, and archives are available for purchase on a CD.

Free Government Information (FGI)

This site offers a collection of podcasts from a variety of federal and state government officials and agencies. You can hear the president's weekly radio address, or listen in on selected town meetings.

White House RSS Feeds and Podcasts

The White House delivers podcasts and news feeds of news releases, events, speeches and press briefings from administration officials.

Return to Top
 

Art tours, exhibition notes, interviews, and collection updates are just a few elements of this podcast presented by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Art Tours, such as a stroll through a Chagall exhibit or a stroll through Latrobe furniture, are interesting both as a tour guide on-site (via iPod), and as a study guide for important works featured.

The Composers Notebook

Conducting, composition, and music instruction, all through the eyes of Nolan Schmit, a composer-educator who graduated with his Master of Music degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 2003. The podcast includes snippets of performances, analysis of instructional techniques, and interviews with composers and performers from obscure to professional.

Your High School Musical

Disney's High School Musical (the movie) is now sweeping stages, both school and professional, across the country. This podcast presents updates on the movie, as well as the seven licensed schools that performed the theatrical versions of High School Musical in 2007.

NACOcast

Host Christopher Millard (principal bassoon, National Arts Centre Orchestra) uses this podcast for commentary about orchestral music and updates along with some behind-the-scenes interviews from the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada.

ARTSEDGE

ARTSEDGE, a product of the wizards at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, offers a variety of podcasts and other media following the theme of look, listen, learn. Each segment offers background resources, lesson plans, and notations about standards-based instruction.

smARThistory

This video podcast focuses on using images and technology to teach art and art history. The episodes show some stunning images and helpful banter between two art historians - Beth Harris and Steven Zucker - from the History of Art Faculty in the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, NY. (Editor's note: as of this writing, the smARThistory website is undergoing some modifications, but the archives are still available. According to the site, the changes should be completed in early October.)

Freedom Band

This podcast combines local band news from Freedom Middle School (Fredericksburg, VA), student performances, and musings from the highly creative educator, Chris Hoovler.

Return to Top
 

This podcast features current news and information from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The segments are topical and present updates on research and development in health, healthcare, and medical research.

UNICEF Podcast

This podcast features a global radio program focused on education, health, equality, and the protection of children. The segments discuss social issues from around the world and often include on-the-scene interview from countries in great need.

Office of National Drug Control Policy

Information, interviews, and conference proceedings from the U.S. government agency that establishes policies and objectives for the nation's drug control programs.

Return to Top
 

ChinesePod is a resource for the study of Mandarin, combining podcasting, online learning materials, and a global community of fellow students. The podcasts require a subscription and a nominal shareware fee, but the quality and level of resources, access to message boards and lesson plans make this a good value for money.

Trying to Learn Spanish

A series of podcasts about learning the Spanish language from a podcaster who believes that a variety of resources for learning a language is better than any one method. Each podcast archive covers curriculum ideas and a litany of links, books, other podcasts, and URLs to help beginning learners get a full grasp of the Spanish language.

Brazilian Portuguese Podcast

Over 200 million people worldwide speak Portuguese. It's not limited to Portugal - it's the official language of five countries, including Brazil. This very simply produced podcast, delivered by a native speaker, focuses on teaching beginning Brazilian Portuguese, including slang, common expressions, pronunciation, Brazilian culture, and differences between Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese.

Japanese Class

Basic conversational Japanese taught entirely in Japanese with English subtitles. This immersion approach ensures quick mastery of simple direct conversations about everyday issues, like purchasing items or ordering food.

FrenchPodClass

The FrenchPodClass is offered by a native French speaker who's not an educator, but who is dedicated to spreading the French language through stories and instruction. The host is studying to be a Grade K-3 educator and offers very basic, but well organized content.

ESL Podcast

This podcast was designed specifically for ESL teachers, and contains a wealth of content, presented in bite-sized segments, by a volunteer team of experienced ESL educators. The more than 60 activities and segments are divided by topic - English Cafe, Travel, and so forth. Most content on the site is free, but the site offers premium content, like learning guides and cultural notes and questions, for a small fee.

Return to Top
 

National Public Radio (NPR) offers hundreds of podcasts including recent news, discussions about major issues, interviews, music, and much more. Once a month, NPR features NPR: Playback where they flash back to events of 25 years and re-air excerpts from their archives.

CNN

CNN offers top stories, replays of on-air broadcasts, special event programming, news digests, and more. Its News Update is presented hourly, and the daily Now in the News offers top stories and light background information to help you keep up with current events.

The New York Times

Podcasts from this credible news source cover a huge variety of topics including current news, science, technology, health, advertising, sports, books, and music. The podcast segments are typically short (most about five minutes), and are designed for a broad consumer market.

ABC News

ABC News brings its on-air video programming to video podcast players (or PCs) everywhere. From Good Morning America segments to special events, you'll find a huge library of podcast content on their website.

CNET News

Technology news, delivered in short blasts of technology data from a leader in news and information - CNET. Shows include daily updates, and topic-driven excerpts from CNET's television broadcasts.

Return to Top
 

Hanes Middle School in North Carolina offers podcasts of school newscasts, interviews, clubs, and events. Its website offers podcasts for educators too, discussing hot topics such as overloaded class schedules and ever-growing requirements for assessment. For students, there are newscasts, band concerts, and an online newspaper.

Radio WillowWeb

A lively podcast presented by fifth graders - for students, by students. Each nicely produced segment contains vocabulary, student writing, facts about topics in the curriculum, and sometimes a feature called Good Joke, Bad Joke.

Jamestown Podcast

These podcasts feature content from across the curriculum. Topic-focused segments feature writing, music, and news from Jamestown Elementary classrooms. Notable segments include field trips (Jamestown Settlement), math problems, and discussions of literary works.

The Coulee Kids' Podcast

This podcast showcases student work from Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse, Wisconsin. You never know what to expect - sometimes it's a rap about arthropods, another time a presentation of readings of students' works about beliefs and thoughts, the next day a math problem.

MabryOnline.org Podcast Central

A rapidly expanding library of podcasts covering curriculum activities, local school activities, even advertisements created by students about the school. Enhanced podcasts and video podcasts are also available.

Broward County Public Schools

The nation's sixth-largest school district takes podcasting district activities and school and student news to a new level. Monthly enhanced video podcasts are extraordinarily well produced and packed with video and audio.

Nauset Public Schools Podcasts

Informational podcasts courtesy of Nauset Schools in Massachusetts. Technology Administrator and guru Kathy Schrock hosts the podcast. Segments include interviews and ideas about using technology in the curriculum.

Podkids Australia

Podcast originating at Orange Grove Primary School in Western Australia. Each episode features curriculum reports, student interviews, and the website features show notes.

Our City Podcast

Produced by handheld computing guru and educator Tony Vincent, Learning in Hand podcasts focus on interdisciplinary projects. In Our City, students from around the globe are invited to submit a podcast about the city they live in.

Cefn Fforest Primary Podcast

A primary school podcast that features sing-alongs, stories, and cross-curricular exercises from students in K-4. The podcast, originating in South Wales, offers a rare glimpse into the curriculum, culture, and school life in a very progressive Welsh community.

Return to Top
 

From the heart of Silicon Valley, here's one of the first major universities to create an iTunes portal. Through this portal, you'll find podcast content about global issues, sports, books and authors, music, and faculty lectures.

EDUCAUSE Connect - Conference Coverage

The EDUCAUSE conference brings together educators from all over the world to present and share ideas. Podcasts archives from the yearly EDUCAUSE conference offer a rich library of up-to-date information about technology, learning, and teaching.

University of Virginia Podcasts and Webcasts

The University of Virginia podcast features lectures, presentations, speeches, and campus events interesting to a wide audience. There's also a link here with tips and techniques for beginning your own podcast or recording lectures at your school.

Return to Top