I-Pods for Professional Development

I recently joined We Are Teachers Imagine Community on Ning.com and found a link to a great post written by Lucie deLaBruere in July, 2007 that offers great suggestions for easy ways to keep up on technology in education and other relevant information.
Lucie suggests utilizing your I-Pod and podcasts for professional development.
What is a podcast? A podcast is digital media file that is distrubuted over the internet via syndication feeds. For more info visit Wikipedia.
Lucie de LaBruere's blog provides several links to sites that provide quality podcasts, relevant to education. She recommends starting with these resources and creating play lists to listen to. She then recommends the following:

1. Carry a small notebook: Jot down notes as you listen to play lists, write down the titles that may be worth listening to again or sharing.

2. Share: Collaborate with colleagues and share play lists.

3. Talk: Share what you think about what you listened to in person or in a blog.

4. Expand: Don't just listen to education related podcasts, expand your horizons this is a great way to develop professionally and personally.

By utilizing I-pods, you can listen to professional development material anywhere. Many teachers find it difficult, to focus on professional development during the leisurely summer months. With this technology, you can listen to things such as; Steve Hargadon's interview with Tim O'Reily, Science Friday on NPR, EPN pedagogical concepts, or National Geographic while you are relaxing beach side, painting the house, doing yard work, or on a long drive.

I think this is an innovative way in which to use simple technology as an educator and professional in general. The resources provided on this blog were helpful and practical. I have an I-Pod, but have yet to utilize podcasts. I will definitely use this technique to help me stay up to date as an educator.