So far everyone is very enthusiastic about podcasts and mobile learning, but we should consider the digital divide and some of the advantages and disadvantages of podcasting; a few are listed below.

Advantages:

• learners have full control over what, where and when they listen.
• can be downloaded onto a mobile device which can be taken away and listened to in own time.
• podcasting provides the teacher with another way of meeting learners' needs.
• learners can gain extra support in listening skills without their peers knowing, as there are no visible signs.
• family members can access podcasts at home and keep up to date with what is going on the classroom.
• visually impaired or blind students can listen to podcasts http://www.whitestick.co.uk/

Disadvantages:

• computers need sufficient bandwidth for downloading the MP3 audio files.
• listening to podcasts can be a solitary experience.
• need some hardware on which to listen to the podcast
• amateur podcasts may be poorly made and too long - the learner may lose interest very quickly.
• some initial training is needed in making a podcast, especially for the not very IT confident.

All these things need to be taken into consideration when making podcasts.

It may be that a written transcript needs to be provided for learners with hearing difficulties, or those who do not have equipment on which to listen to the podcast.

There are alternatives to podcasts, such as using Audio files embedded in Word documents. See the section on Accessibility/differentation.