Podcasting Vocabulary

Listening to the first podcast I first thought this was a really good idea, but after listening to a few I realized that every podcast was virtually the same. I believe the students were given a template of sorts to follow instead of allowing some creativity and ownership of this project. So, how does this benefit students? What is beyond the making of the podcast? If each student is responsible for making an audio of one word, how do they learn the other vocabulary? I did not get a sense of purpose for this assignment other than how to make an audio podcast.

I can, however, see potential for podcasting vocabulary in perhaps other formats as being more beneficial. A video podcast that illustrates the word might be helpful. A less stringent template that allows the students to have fun with the assignment might allow this tool to be used more successfully throughout the year so that it doesn't get boring for the students. If students were given ten minutes (or a homework assignment) to come up with the script then put in groups of four, each having a role of defining and using the word in a less linear fashion and illustrating its use, then at the end of class the teacher could show the final products to the entire class and each could be responsible for all of the vocabulary.