How do podcasts fit into a Web-based distance learning course?

In Web-based distance learning, podcasts serve as recorded sessions that students can listen to or view at their own convenience. They are integrated into course-management systems alongside other digital tools like e-mail, discussion forums, and virtual classrooms.1

While modern distance education often relies on text-based communication to facilitate interaction between teachers and students, podcasts provide a multimedia component that supports the asynchronous nature of these courses. By allowing students to access content whenever they wish, podcasts help remove the time constraints typically found in traditional classroom settings.1