Vodcasts

VODCASTS, ALSO KNOWN AS video-podcasts, video-casts, and vidcasts, are multimedia files that contain both video and audio content. The term "vodcast" is a combination of "vod" (Video on Demand) and "cast" from the word broadcast.

Vodcasts are similar to podcasts, except they contain a video element. Vodcasts can be viewed on desktop computers, laptops and portable video players. Vodcasts are widely used for entertainment purposes such as watching music videos and television shows. However, vodcasts can be used as a tool for learning as well.

Educational vodcasts

An educational vodcast can be a beneficial learning tool in the areas of corporate training, higher education, K-12 and personal enrichment.  An educational vodcast can convey facts, concepts, principles, procedures and processes.

Educational vodcasts can be part of a formal lesson plan. The Martin Luther King video to the right provides an example of the type of content that is suitable for an educational vodcast. It was created by SDSU graduate student Claudia Fimpel to compliment an elementary school history lesson about the life and times of the civil rights leader.

Double-click on the image to the right to view the two-minute video.

Educational vodcasts can also be used outside of the classroom. An example is the “Camper’s Guide to Knot Tying” video created by SDSU graduate student Chrissy Chamberlain. It instructs viewers on how to tie a Bowline Knot and a Taut Line Hitch.

Double-click on the image to the left to view the three-minute video.

How to access a vodcast

A vodcast can be accessed by a direct download or a subscription for automatic downloads from a web server.  Once the vodcast is downloaded, you can watch it on your computer or transfer it to a mobile video player.

Though vodcasters' Web sites may offer direct download or streaming of their content, a vodcast is distinguished from other digital video formats by its ability to be downloaded automatically using software that can read Web feed formats such as RSS and Atom (Podcast, 2006).

To subscribe to a vodcast:

  1. Download an aggregator such as FireANT, Juice, Doppler or iTunes.
  2. Find a vodcast that you would like to subscribe to. You can search a vodcast directory such as Vodstock.
  3. Copy the vodcast's Web feed address (URL) and paste it into your aggregator. Now it can update your feeds so you can receive up to date vodcasts automatically.
  4. Transfer the vodcast from your computer to your mobile video player to watch the vodcast on the go.

More Information

How to create a vodcast using Windows

How to create a vodcast using a Mac

Shenandoah (Dodie) Lewis, Graduate Student
SDSU Educational Technology

Lewis, S. (2006). Vodcasts. In  B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. Retrieved from