What is a Podcast?• Audio or video broadcast distributed
through the Internet on a subscription basis.
• Thousands of FREE topics to choose from.
• Based on RSS (Really Simple Syndication, Rich Site Summary).
• Portable technology.
RSS Is the Key• RSS known as Really Simple
Syndication or Rich Site Summary.
• Based on XML.
• iTunes checks the RSS file.
• Tools available to create RSS files.
How Can Students Benefit?• iPod or some type of multimedia player already available to students - 100 Million iPods Sold.
• Practice 21st century communication skills through audio and video to express ideas and concepts.
• Portability a huge aid to studying.
• Doubles as a recording device.
• New and innovative ways of teaching can be explored. A great supplement for lectures.
Explore Teaching with Podcasts• Not limited to just recording lectures…
• Dialogues, create vocabulary lists, and flash cards.
• Problem set demonstrations and lab experiments.
• Audio feedback.
• Common question reviews at the end of week.
• Students create video/audio podcasts. Critique each other.
• Supplemental course material.
• Turn to the person next to you and share ways podcasting can enrich your class and teaching methods.
A Few Suggestions• Keep it short and informative. 5 to 15 minutes a good
rule.
• Collaborate with colleagues.
• Talk to students.
iTunes U• Service provided by your educational institution and
Apple.
• Repository for faculty to store their podcasts.
• Easy for faculty members to use.
• Students can be given access to upload their own podcasts.
• Place for staff too.
• Branding of the college.
Equipment Needed
• PC or a Mac.
• A microphone.
• Video camera (optional for video).
• Recording software.
PC Recording Software • Allows you to record your podcast, edit, and then save to mp3.
• Audacity – free, open-source http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Legality Issues on Music• Beware of using licensed music.
• Use public domain or music under Creative Commons license.
• Create music with Fruity Loops, Acid, or Garage Band (MAC)
Recording with Audacity• Get Audacity at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
• Download plug-in LAME MP3 encoder.
• Install. Open and start a new project.
• Project files are saved as *.aup files
• Hit the Record Button.
• Start reading from your script.
Recording With Audacity• If you make a mistake, pause for a few seconds and
reread the sentence.
• Make edits later.
Editing With Audacity
• Delete word whiskers, lengthy silences, and interruptions.
• Choose to add music.
• Add effects such as volume control, fade-ins, and fade-outs.
Convert to MP3• Audacity requires LAME MP3 encoder.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net
• File – Export As MP3.
• Add ID tags to your MP3. Title, Artist, Album, and Comments.
Publish and Promote • RSS feeds used to publish Podcast.
• Users will subscribe to RSS feed.
• Upload your podcast file to your web host.
• Blogger + Feedburner setup your podcast automatically.
Publish and Promote
• Create a RSS feed with RSS builder. http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rssbuilder.html
• Upload your RSS feed.
• Grab your RSS feed address. Example: http://www.nvcc.edu/home/rbrown/index.xml
• Add RSS address to iTunes.
• Publicize this address by adding it to your website.
Have fun podcasting!
• Email [email protected] or [email protected].
• Visit http://tac.nvcc.edu/podcasts/ for resources on podcasting.
• Download this presentation at http://tac.nvcc.edu/resources/presentations/podcasts.ppt