The trend of ' podcasting' college lectures has been all over the news lately, usually when a ' big' name school participates. But colleges and universities everywhere are taking advantage of this new technology: one of the latest to hop on the high-tech bandwagon is Anne Arundel Community College.

Some schools, like Duke University, provide iPods to students who don't have one. But students are more often required to provide their own, much like a textbook.

Professors cite the portability factor as only one asset in podcasting lectures. Many feel it will improve the learning process, as The Capital Online reports:

&lrquo; The first time a student hears something is not necessarily when it sinks in," said Dr. Patrick Jackson, a self-described tech geek and assistant professor of international relations at American University's School of International Service. "By recording these and making them available as MP3s, they can Actually get what you're saying."

Dr. Jackson uses an iPod in courses covering theory, research methodology and the philosophy of social science. He said the "hip factor" of the technology allows teachers to connect with their students, but it also has practical applications.

"iPods are very cool," he announced during a recent faculty forum on digital audio at the University of Maryland, College Park. "Now how can we use them to fulfill some of the basic foundations we're supposed to as university professors?"

For starters, Dr. Jackson says sending lectures or clips from other sources to students via the Internet allows him to devote more class time to informed discussions, readings and one-on-one student assistance. He finds that allowing students to decide how they'll listen to a file - at the computer, downloaded on their own iPod or burned to CD - and where - at their desk, at the gym or in the car - gets them more excited about learning.