A Podcasting PrimerTech TuesdayMay 25, 2010

Molly ImmendorfInstructional Technology Specialist

Lisa LinfieldTechnology Education Specialist

Today’s Topics

What is podcasting?

How does it work? How do I create a podcast? How do I listen to a podcast?

What are the implications for teaching and learning in Cooperative Extension?

Podcasting is…

…technology used to push audio or video content from websites to subscribers who then listen to that content at their convenience on an audio player or computer that supports .mp3 files.

How does it work?

Non-subscribers searching for content can listen, too.

PodcasterRecords Audio /Video content…

Subscribers download podcast via a Podcatcher (software used to collect podcast feeds and transfer them to computer or mp3 player)

…and then posts audio/video content on a website where people can subscribe to it via RSS

Plan & Prep, Produce, Publish, Promote

What is your topic? Format

Solo? Interview? Music? Length of podcast Frequency of episodes Outline/Script

Plan & Prep, Produce, Publish, Promote

Microphone + headset Computer or portable recording

device Recording and editing software

MP3 converter Internet connection Accessible PDF version (transcript)

Recording Record directly onto computer

computer + sound card + headset + podcasting software

Record remotely and then transfer digital recording to computer digital Recorder + Microphone

Overview of podcasting software Audio Recorder & Editor

Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) MP3 Encoder

LAME or iTunes Media Player for testing

Windows Media iTunes

Hosting site WordPress

Transcription/Speech to text software

Audacity Demo

Plan & Prep, Produce, Publish, Promote

Hosting of .mp3 file WordPress

PDF transcript of audio Transcription/Speech-to-Text software

such as Dragon Naturally Speaking Benefits of accessible podcast:▪ Easier for search engines to find your content▪ Sometimes audio is impractical or

inappropriate

WordPress Demo

Plan & Prep, Produce, Publish,

Promote Consistent theme and interesting

content Descriptive tagging Listener feedback/comments Podcasting directories Social networks Include links to podcast feed in email

signature

Find and listen to podcasts Subscribe to podcasts

Search tools: iTunes, Podcast Alley, huffduffer Connect portable media player to computer Podcast software (Podcatcher)

automatically loads new podcast episodes onto it. iTunes Juice▪ www.podcatchermatrix.org (compare various

podcatchers and their features)

iTunes

Install iTunes for free (www.apple.com/itunes)

iTunes store Search for podcasts by category, genre,

top shows, provider. Can listen to show in iTunes, download a

single episode, or subscribe to all future episodes

iTunes demo

Implications for Teaching and Learning in Extension Podcasting uses entertainment

devices (iPods, etc.) for educational purposes Non-threatening

Access to educational programming on demand t0 anyone, anywhere, anytime No travel required

Production costs are low