The Auricle

The BBC doesn't seem to want to make a lot of noise about it, but they appear to be running a very low profile podcasting trial at the moment. The BBC has been running their excellent 'listen again' streaming service for a while now but what's important about this trial is that the audio link is delivered via an RSS feed so that you get the information about the audio before playing it. The trial feed is for Melvyn Bragg's In Our Time series which explores the history of ideas. Each feed will be valid for seven days. This week's programme asks if 'Zoroastrianism - the religion of the Persian Empire was the first monotheism?'. Next week's theme is Higgs Boson.

If you want to try the feed I've included the BBC podcast in Auricle's 'syndicated learning objects' drop down menu (top of the home page). If you want to syndicate the feed for yourself the url is http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/mp3/podcast.xml. Be aware, this is not an audio stream, it's an audio download so it may take a little time to transfer the whole file to your local system.

Syndication technologies, like RSS and Atom, can already add considerable value to a host site, to the point that it becomes a de facto rich and multi perspective learning environment. For an example of what I mean, see Alan Levine and Brian Lamb's recent Educause presentation Rip, Mix, Feed.

Add multimedia and associated metadata to a syndicated resource feed, however, and the potential has just gone up another notch.

What's kind of interesting here is that we, perhaps, have an emergent model in which various sites on the internet become almost like resource 'filling stations' for mobile multi-function devices.

What do I mean?

Well, visit www.ipodder.org who can offer you software that can, apparently, automatically update your iPod (or equivalent) with what interests you.

Now browse the following:
http://www.gizmondo.com/
http://www.ipodder.org/whatIsPodcasting
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/05/12/sony_psp/
http://www.archos.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1197495,00.html

Now some of these devices will make it and some, udoubtedly, will go the way of all silicon. What's important, however, is that these devices such as the above don't need to be linked to a parent device or network, but yet can have their contents renewed when they do.

What about communication you cry?

Well look carefully at the specifications for some of these devices, e.g. WiFi, SMS, Bluetooth (as well as MP3, MP4) etc. Note that some can play games, communicate, make telephone calls, play audio and video, store data and don't need to, but are enhanced by, connection to the network.

This is a bit different from a model of e-learning which assumes students sit in front of computers, need to be constantly connected to a network and must access all they require from the institutional VLE. I think users may find this 'disconnected but connectable' model attractive as well.

Seems like we may have mobile personal learning environments on our hands.

So who's going to build the global network of e-learning filling stations?

But also …. Which device to buy? How interoperable are the devices? … don't worry it's an industry standard … my industry standard:) How can I track this? What do you mean if I want to use your device I must use your digital rights management system? … You're really going to charge me that much for the contract for network services?