Transcript Podcasting Made Easy

Bronwyn Desjardins
~Grayston Preparatory~
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What is a Podcast?
What is RSS?
Tech Terms to Know
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Fusion of two words about 5 years ago: iPod
+ broadcast
Also in video now as Vodcast.
Downloadable audio file for computer or
portable audio device (iPod or MP3 player) –
doesn’t have to be downloaded.
Has subscribers – receive automatic audio
feed updates
Perfect for Instant Information World
Anytime Anywhere and most are free
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RSS = Really Simple Syndication
It turns an audio recording into a podcast
Saved in .xml format
Provides: creator; show title; content
description; link to audio file.
It is created by using .xml coding or a
program that creates the feed automatically.
NB: Audio file has to be stored on a server
first.
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Blog: web log – chronological publication
Exit: music or sounds to end show
Host Site: server that stores podcast and RSS
feed
Intro: music or sounds that “lead into” the
podcast
MP3: audio file in compressed digital format
Podcatcher: program used to subscribe to
and download podcasts e.g. iTunes
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have a clear understanding of what
podcasting is.
be able to oversee student podcasting
projects.
have the knowledge and understanding to
implement podcasting in their classroom.
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Better understanding of curriculum content
Develops language skills
Develops critical thinking skills
Opportunity to share knowledge and opinions
with a greater audience
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Computer with Internet connection
Microphone and webcam
iPod touch can record video
Audio podcasts:
 GarageBand (Mac only)
 Audacity (fee – can be used on Mac OS or
Windows)
 Podomatic http://www.podomatic.com/ record online
Video (Vodcasts)
 iMovie (Mac only)
 MovieMaker (Windows only)
 YouTube
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Know what you want for the end product
Focus on content
Treat it like an essay: introduction; body and
conclusion
Time constraint – get unnecessary content as
they will ramble
Technical aspects (sound, lighting, etc.) –
focus on one or two aspects
Show examples and critique them
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Plan
Storyboard (important for Vodcasts). There
are samples online.
Write script
Peer response to script
Revise/ rewrite
Repeat steps 4 and 5 as needed
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Rehearse before record
Don’t read lines – memorise line by line if
necessary and pause recording between as it
looks more professional
Record in a quiet place
Keep sound at the same level – keep mike at
same distance, practice speaking at same
level. Audio adjustments can be time
consuming.
Have good lighting (video)
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School news
Curricular reports: foreign languages; book
reviews; history projects; biology reports etc.
Topics of interest: practise creative writing
and speaking
Communication tool: school announcements;
student or parent announcements
Podomatic*
 YouTube*
 School web site
 Your own web site: more control
 Wiki*
 Blog*
 NB: iTunes does not host podcasts – you have
to link it to the store
*Free
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Would this enhance your curriculum?
Hardware assessment: camera; computer;
cables etc.
Software assessment: try using itself first –
have basic understanding of it; make sure
necessary programs are installed
Create the rubric
Find examples
Present the project to the students
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Nicknames – make up on-air names
Don’t give out private information – school
name/ address etc.
Check privacy restrictions with school
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http://www.youtube.com/cdspodsquad
Tech Chicks http://techchicktips.net/
 *Kidcast http://www.intelligenic.com/blog
 Teach With Video
http://teachwithvideo.com/podcast.html
*Step by step 45 minute lessons on how to
podcast
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www.IHeartEdTech.com (Blog)
Twitter: @SimpleK12 @EdTechUNcon
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What is it and how to use it
Introduction to Audacity Interface
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Free audio editing software
Record multiple tracks in a single audio file –
up to 16 and more
Can import file types as tracks MP3, wav. etc.
Cross platform – can work on any OS
(Windows, Linux, Mac)
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Four separate tool bars
Control toolbar (like a CD player)
Meter toolbars (input/ output) - red = too
loud
Mixer toolbar (output – speaker icon/ input –
mike icon) – can adjust input level
Edit toolbar – cut, copy, paste, trim and add
silence. Zoom in or out of tracks to get a
closer look.
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Each track has its own display area
Any track will appear with its own control
panel
It appears in wav form – mute will mute
sounds and other volume controls (Gain)
adjust volume of each track. Solo – will isolate
a track.
Close button, track name, and track menu
down arrow with varied menus – you can
name a track.
Get to know the basic tools first.
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See Audacity notes
Podsafe audio: http://podsafeaudio.com/
http://www.flashkit.com/loops
Visit Dropbox folder for software download, copy
of Audacity notes, and Podcasting ideas
Visit Diigo Podcasting Made Easy group for links
mentioned in this workshop
blip.tv.com – create an account
Upload file
blip.tv.com/username/rss – copy this URL link to
iTunes to create RSS feed in iTunes store (more
difficult)
Or upload file as audio file in a website or wiki
In wiki embed as widget RSS feed (easy)