Teach42

Abject Learning did the first WikiCast that I know of. Basically it’s a podcast but with interactive visual aids. It’s really fantastic, and shows the potential for the evolution of presentations. Powerpoint was a great tool for presenters, but really when you get right down to it, it’s no more than overglorified overhead projector slides. Sound effects, video, and animations are neat, but it all comes right back to a presenter droning on and on with visual aids.

What I love about the WikiCast is that it begins to break down the barrier between presenter and presentee. While viewing the WikiCast, the presentee can be reading alongside the wiki and can even modify the presentation itself by editing the Wiki. If you show a powerpoint 30 times, it’ll still have the exact same content. While the audio can’t be changed right now, the content you read along with it can be modified by the viewer, altering (and hopefully enhancing) the experience for future audiences.

Certainly something to think about. What will really be great is when there’s a truly mobile version of this. Engadget.com is working on PhotoPodcasts, pictures to go along with their podcasts. I’m thinking more along the lines of a winksite, so you can listen to the MP3 and browse content on your mobile phone/pda while on the bus. There’s potential there.

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