Podcasting is Free and Easy

Cheryl D’Amico

John Paydo

Mayfield Middle School

Presentation available at

http://digitaldamico.pbwiki.com

1. What is podcasting?2. Why should I be podcasting?3. What are the components of a podcast?4. How can podcasts incorporate 21st

Century Skills?5. What is an RSS Feed?6. Where can I find educational podcasts?7. How do I make a podcast?

Today’s Objectives

Podcast, according to Wikipedia

A podcast is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and downloaded through web syndication. The mode of delivery is what differentiates podcasts from other ways of accessing media files over the Internet, such as simple download or streamed webcasts: special client software applications known as podcatchers (like iTunes, Zune, Juice, and Winamp) are used to automatically identify and download new files in the series when they are released by accessing a centrally-maintained web feed that lists all files associated with the series. New files can thus be downloaded automatically by the podcatcher and stored locally on the user's computer or other device for offline use, giving simpler access to episodic content.

Most dictionary definitions of a podcast fall into one of two camps as of September 2009. One set focuses on the "on-demand" nature of podcasts. Another set requires the automatic or syndication posting. There are problems with both definitions. The first is too open. Under such a definition, a paid music download could technically be a podcast. Most audiences would disagree. The second is very limiting, in comparison. It does not allow for manual

downloads. Researchers at the Center for Journalism and Mass Communication Research at the University of Texas at Austin are proposing a three-part definition of a podcast: first, that it is episodic; second, that it is downloadable; and third, that it is program-driven, mainly with a host and/or theme.

Let’s break it down…

Audio Recording exported as an (.mp3)

Recording Posted to ourRSS Enabled Blog Site

Students can subscribe toPodcasts (iGoogle homepage)

Students use an open source audio recording program, Audacity

What are podcasts?Radio shows over the Internet

You do NOT need an iPod or mp3 player

What do I need to create a Podcast?

• Computer

• Microphone– USB– Microphone– Headphones with microphone

• Audio Editing Software (Audacity)

• Digital Recorder (optional)

What are the 21st Century Learning Skills?

• Creativity and Innovation• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving• Communication• Collaboration• Information Literacy• Media Literacy• Information and Communications Technology• Initiative and Self-Direction• Social and Cross-Cultural Skills• Productivity and Accountability• Leadership and Responsibility

Visit the Partnership for 21st Century Learning

What can I podcast?

• Fluency assessment• Student book talks• Poetry sharing• Interviews• Reader’s theater• Persuasive speeches• Debates• News

• Class lessons• Reviews for tests/quizzes• Tests• Intervention for difficult

topics• Reading material• Student Discussions• Field trips• Guest speakers

Where can I find great Podcasts?

• Search within iTunes• Do a Google search for podcasts• Educational Podcast Network: http://epnweb.org/• Open Culture: http://www.openculture.com/• Learn Out Loud: http://www.learnoutloud.com/• Podanza: http://www.podanza.com/• Educational Podcasts: http://recap.ltd.uk/podcasting/• Learning in Hand:

http://learninginhand.com/podcasting/• The Teacher’s Podcast: http://teacherspodcast.org/

iTunes StorePodcasts and iTunes U

Learn Out Loud

www.storycorps.netProfessionally produced podcasts

Short, moving, audio podcast.

They remind me of Chicken Soup

for the Soul

Audio Podcast

MMS Blogspot http://blogs.mayfieldschools.org/mms

Our school blog where we post all of our podcasts

http://blogs.mayfieldschools.org/mms/wp-admin/wp-login.php

Lesson Example: Google Earth and Podcasting

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Actual lesson taught at Mayfield Middle School

•Students follow a travel guide worksheet and gather facts about three geographic locations.

•These facts become the script for the Travel Podcast.

Google Earth Research Assignment Sheet

Answer the following questions regarding your journey. Use complete sentences in your descriptions. Tell me something specific about the place you are visiting.

 

Our journey begins on the continent of_________________________________

We selected this starting place because ______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________.

The weather should be ________________________________.

While we are here we expect to see:

Name of place:_________________________________

Three facts about this place:

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Write a script in Google DocsShare with your partner

Introduction should include these key elements:Your travel podcast nameMembers of your groupYour travel locations

Tom: Welcome to the Far Away Places travel podcast. I’m Tom the traveler.

Joe: And I’m the Joe the ExplorerTom & Joe: We are going to talk to you about three beautiful travel

destinations.Joe: First we will take you to the beautiful, warm, sandy beaches of

Oahu, Hawaii.Tom: Next you will join us on a journey to the foggy and historic streets

of London, England.Joe: We will end our journey back in the U.S.A. as we meet our friends

Mickey and Minnie in Disneyworld.

BodyYou will use your Travel Guides. This portion of the

podcasts includes your detailed descriptions of the landmarks within each of your three locations.

Tom: Our first great location is Oahu, Hawaii

Joe: Well, what is there to do in Oahu?

Tom: The first great travel destination in Oahu is the Pearl Harbor museum and tour. Here you can…

ConclusionSummarize your travel destinations.

Re-announce your names, thank visitors for listening.

What are characteristics of good podcasts?

• Think of a good commercial or news-cast• Consistent format• Even pacing of audio and consistent volume

– little use of ahh, umm, ok, like and other distracting audio noises

• Focused• SHORT and organized (2 to 5 minutes)• Break into sections with good transitions, and

teasers.• Topic of interest to listeners

Audacity (audio recorder & editor)Open Source Software

www.freeplaymusic.com

FreeIf used for classroom projects non-broadcast

Creative CommonsFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Creative Commons (CC) is a non-profit organization devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright licenses known as Creative Commons licenses. These licenses allow creators to communicate which rights they reserve, and which rights they waive for the benefit of other creators

Switch Sound Converter

Download the free converter to switch songs or interviews to .mp3 format

Export as an MP3

• When you save it saves the file as an Audacity file with the file extension .aup

• To post the file, you must export it as an MP3– Select File– Export as an MP3– The first time you export, you will be prompted to find

the lame encoder. It should be on Drive C in a folder labeled Lame Encoder

Never open folder

only open headphone file

The MMS Blogspot provides an avenue for the podcast to be heard by their peers, the public, and people in other countries.

http://blogs.mayfieldschools.org/mms/category/interviews/

Write a paragraph summary for the podcast posting

Step 1: Create an audio recording. •Use a pc and microphone or a portable digital recorder (MP3 recorder). •Audacity Software-audacity.sourceforge.net/

Free, open source audio recording software

Step 2: Save as a .mp3

Step 3: Post them •Either on your personal page or wiki (no rss) or on a website with an RSS feed

Creating a Podcast

Podcasting is Free and Easy

CEU Code LH2

Presentation available at

http://digitaldamico.pbworks.com