podcasting

What Are Podcasts?

 * “A podcast is a digital media file, or a series of such files, that is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and personal computers.”-Wikipedia
 * It was created to use with Apple's iPod along with any other MP3 player.
 * Podcasting is similar to radio broadcasting only it is not as professional or as good as quality.
 * RSS feeds are used to connect you to a podcast from a website for streaming.

History of Podcasting

 * Christopher Lydon created the first podcast self-producing more than 50 interviews.
 * In November 2003 Lydon launched a blog for the 2004 presidential elections.
 * Apple computers soon adopted this technology.

Podcasting in Schools

 * Students are able to create a potentially world-wide audience.
 * Their podcast can be listed in iTunes, right along with podcasts from The Discovery Channel, Disney, and NPR.
 * Knowing that there is a real-world audience gives students purpose and motivation to create a spectacular product.
 * The process of putting together an audio recording is extremely valuable and is certainly a cross-curricular experience.

Advantages

 * Users have full control over what they listen to/where and when they listen.
 * Audio files can be downloaded onto an MP3 player. ¡Users can also listen to the Podcast from their web browser on their PC.
 * Podcasting provides the educator with another way of meeting students' needs.
 * Family members can access podcasts at home and keep up to date with what is going on the classroom.

Disadvantages

 * Computers need sufficient bandwidth for downloading the MP3 audio files.
 * Podcasting is not designed for two-way interaction or audience participation.
 * Amateur podcasts do not have the same quality as professional broadcasts.
 * Some initial training is needed.

=How to Make a Podcast=

Plan Your Podcast

 * Most important step because you need to know what direction you want to take the piece.
 * Brainstorm and write down some topics for your intended audience.
 * Write it into a script and check for grammar and content.
 * Practice, Practice, Practice!
 * Reminder: There will probably be changes to what was originally planned so be flexible!

Record Your Podcast

 * Software for Macintosh
 * Garageband http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/
 * Audacity[| http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/17-audacity-tutorial.htm]
 * Software for Windows XP
 * Audacity[| http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/17-audacity-tutorial.htm]
 * Record for All (Vista compatible) http://www.recordforall.com/

Convert and Publish

 * Convert podcast to MP3
 * iTunes
 * Audacity with LAME (MP3 encoder) http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq?s=install&item=lame-mp3
 * Publish to a website or share with friends
 * You can publish a podcast as an RSS feed.
 * You need a website to host your MP3.

Tutorials

 * [|http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/00-podcast-tutorial-][|four-ps.htm]
 * Tutorial using the Audacity program
 * [|http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#garageband-podcast-51]
 * Video tutorial using Garageband.

Educational Podcasts
Title: Educational Podcasting Network Address: http://www.epnweb.org/ About: This website has podcasts from different Elementary Schools. It is possible to contact them for a classroom and get space on their site.

Title: Education Podcast Directory Address: http://www.podcastingnews.com/forum/link_6.htm About: This is a hub for all sorts of podcasts from radio shows to do-it-yourself to audio books. For classroom use, definitely preview these ones since they are for all ages and may have inappropriate content.

Title: iTunes Address: Download at http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ About: You can download free podcasts as well as paying for podcasts in the iTunes store. They have a lot of neat stuff but you also have to pay for a lot.

Title: Educational Feeds Address: http://www.educational-feeds.com/ About: This has podcasts of all kinds that schools have made listed in category. It also has audio books by grade and other podcasts more likely to be seen in the classroom.

Resources
[|http://www.podcastblaster.com/history-of-][|podcasting.html] http://www.learninginhand.com/podcasting/ [|http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/ictineducation/ictadvice/][|Podcasting/introduction.asp] [|http://www.wtvi.com/TEKS/05_06_articles/classroom-][|audio-podcasting.html] [|http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/ArticleReader.a][|spx?ArticleID=13515&ContextSubtypeID=71] http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/