How do I listen to podcasts?
Podcasts are broadcasts that you can play on your iPod, hence the name. However, you don’t need an iPod to listen to podcasts. You can get them delivered automatically to play on your PC or Mac every time there is a new show. There are three steps involved in setting up your computer to receive podcasts regularly.
1. Get some podcast software
You have to download a piece of software which will search the web to find the latest version of the radio programme you want. iTunes is an easy way to get hold of podcasts and organise your music on your PC or Mac.
2. Add the address of the 'feed' to your software
Once you have the software, choose the radio programme, or 'podcast', you want to have delivered automatically to your computer every time a new episode is released.
To 'subscribe' to a programme, you copy the address of the podcast 'feed' from the web page of the programme and add it to your podcast application.
LT Scotland provides podcasts on the following sites:
This year, you can download the Scottish Learning Festival 2007 keynote speeches - on your iPod.
In order to receive each new output, find the orange RSS button. Right-click it (or Ctrl-click on Mac) and copy the address into your podcast software.
Scottish Learning Festival podcasts from 2005/6 
3. Start downloading
When a new show that you have subscribed to becomes available your software will automatically download it. You can listen to the mp3 on your computer or transfer it to your portable player to listen to later.
The software will automatically download any subsequent shows as soon as they are available.
Software
How to
- Wikipedia
Web encyclopedia information on podcasting. - Advice from MFLE
Listen / Create your own podcasts.
Podcast directories
- Indiepodder
Directory where you can register your own podcast feeds. - Ipodcast
UK podcast directory for educators, schools and colleges. - Scottish Podcasts
Blog site that announces new Scottish podcasts