Self Learning Strategies

Podcasts make it easy to learn using multimedia

I keep up to date and learn new things using podcasts.

Despite the term, you do not need an iPod to download or listen to podcasts. There's no hacks or anything silly, podcast just picked up an unfortunate name for itself early on.

The easiest way to find and download podcasts does happen to be with the iTunes music playing software. It is free and works great on both Windows and Mac.

Once iTunes is installed, surf through the iTunes music store to find their podcast directory (the top 100 is a good place to start). If you see one that looks interesting, click on it to read a description and reviews from other users.

If you think you would like any podcast, simply click the 'Subscribe' button, and any new podcasts will automatically be downloaded as soon as they are available. That's right, they are delivered automatically (like your daily newspaper) without you having to remember to go retreive them!

There are tens of thousands of podcasts ranging from humor to education to talk. For self-learning strategies, I recommend Grammar Girl's grammar tips, This Week in Tech, and any one of several Photoshop tutorial podcasts.

When my wife was struggling to learn her Anatomy and Physiology course because her professor wasn't a great lecturer, I subscribed her to three (3!) different A&P lecture podcasts published by 3 different colleges. She got to listen to better lectures covering the same material, and took charge of her learning.

What podcasts have you found especially helpful in self-learning?

posted by Ideas2NoEnd @ 2:39 PM