Podcasting is not a toy; rather, it is simply a technology that allows for the distribution of information over the internet. Zanussi et al. seem to confuse the message with the medium, forgetting that the same powerful mobile computing technology which can be used for amusement can also be used for more serious purposes. In characterizing podcasting as a "toy", the authors are at risk of overlooking the power of this new technology; similar objections were voiced to the introduction of other information-dissemination technologies such as radio, television and indeed the phonograph. Each of these technologies has been utilized to disseminate educational materials (e.g. the Open University's use of teaching by television), and it is natural that podcasting is now being used in the same way.
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