Favorite Podcasts

I believe I've blogged about my favorite podcasts in the past, but I've updated my list.

I don't know if it's that I'm getting older or what, but I find myself using my iPod more and more for anything but listening to music.

Most of what I use it for include podcast - audio and video podcasts. If I couldn't access podcasts, I don't know if I'd even bother with an iPod.

Here it goes.

10. Learning in Hand: iPods. This is a great audio podcast that really informs the listener to great tricks for getting the most out of their iPod. There are even a couple of video podcasts that are helpful. This is where I learned how to link to iTunes, upload Powerpoint and Keynote presentations to my iPod, how to restart it when it gets stuck, and how to add artwork and lyrics.

9. Moving at the Speed of Creativity. This is a great source to stay current on using technology in education. The first podcast I listened to was the best - by far. But that episode alone warrants its place on here. That's where I learned about Sir Ken Robinson and his effort to inculcate creativity back into mainstream curriculum.

8. MacMost Now - I just found this one. Gary Rosenzweig publishes this all video podcast. Unlike Learning in Hand, this focuses on more than just iPods. This one has helped me get the most out of Leopard, iWork, and iLife. It's very user friendly and not an official Mac podcast, so he offers some great tips that can help you get around some of the Apple policies.

7. Apple Quick Tips - an official Apple video podcast. These are short (30 seconds or so) clips that help you get the most out of your Apple products. It's a great way to quickly get to know new products.

6. Best of youtube (Ipod video) - all video casts. This is a great way to get around the ridiculous no youtube policy at many schools. I use many of these videos in Keynotes or just to get discussions going or to get the class laughing.

5. SMARTboard Lesson plans (audio) and Teaching with SMARTboards (videos)- Since I have a SMARTboard this has been a good way just to get introduced to using it. Good ideas by teachers for teachers.

4. 60 Minutes - the full audio podcast. Great topics to stay up on (especially now that we are going on our second full month with no TV in the house). Plus, you get Andy Rooney.

3. TEDTALKS - not necessarily a podcast through iTunes like all the others. You have to go to TED's website to download them. But this video presentations are brilliant and, again, a great way to get some professional development and to get some renewal.

2. Education podcasts with John Merrow. This is where I found out about such movers and shakers in the education scene like Michelle Rhee and Paul Vallas. Merrow is tough and does an excellent job chronicling the key issues in education. Great place for professional development. I've used so much of what I've come across on here. Great stuff for educators and parents.

1. Dan Carlin's Hardcore History - all audio podcasts but they are excellent. Like me Carlin is a fan of history as opposed to being an expert or a teacher. I enjoy that about his take on historical events. Tune in and you'll cover events from the Punic wars to the Cold War. By far, this is my favorite podcast. Whenever I have downtime or a long car ride, I scroll to one of these and soak it all in.