Image via CrunchBase

As teaching and learning with mobile devices, such as cellphones and camera phones, continues to grow, the ways we can use these devices also continues to evolve.  For example, phonecasting and phlogging are two ways to use “low-tech” options for integrating cellphones into classrooms. Both of these methods allow use to make use of lowest common-denominator options for many students.

Phonecasting & Phlogging

Phonecasting is a method of podcasting with a cellphone. This is an easy way to record audio without having to use computer software to do it.  For example, students call into a system, and the system records the audio.  The system may automatically post the audio to website or email the audio file to you.

Phlogging is very, very similar.  In fact, some folks may use the terms interchangeably.  Phlogging is short for phone + blogging. (And yes, blog is short for web log.)  With phlogging, you call into a number and the audio is recorded and automatically posted to the web, usually inside a blog.

Some Tools

Two tools that I really like for doing phonecasting and phlogging with are Google Voice and iPadio. The links are below.

• iPadio | http://www.ipadio.com/

• Google Voice | https://www.google.com/voice

Google Voice

Google Voice is a great way to phonecast.  It records the audio file into an mp3 file and emails that to you.  You can then upload that mp3 to a website or blog.  Google Voice also does an admirable job with transcribing the audio file for you as well. It has a way to do this flawlessly, though. Here’s an example of how Google Voice can be used in a classroom:

iPadio

iPadio is a true phlogging system. It records the audio file into an mp3 file, and it automatically creates a web link to it for you. You don’t have to do the uploading.  In addition, iPadio will connect with another blogging system, such as Posterous, and autopost into your blog there. So, you can easily create a podcast system or make it play directly inside your web site. iPadio also has a mobile app if you’re interested in moving toward a smartphone use.

More resources

Wes Fryer has written about audio recording options, so I encourage you to take a look at some of his posts, too.

• Use a cell phone supporting 3 way calling to record audio interviews (speedofcreativity.org)
• Using iPadio to Create a Final Exam Study Guide Phonecast (speedofcreativity.org)
• Comparing No-Edit Cloud Based Audio Recording Options #playingwithmedia (speedofcreativity.org)
• Explaining No-Edit Audio Recording Power with an AudioBoo from Pearl Harbor (speedofcreativity.org)