Podcasting

=media type="custom" key="1143885"= = = =Podcasting= toc

What is podcasting?

 * blogs with audio
 * like internet radio shows

So What Is Podcasting? Podcasting is a new phenomena. The term comes from the [|concatenation] of two words: iPod and broadcasting. Unlike traditional broadcasts, which require the listener tune in at the exact time a program is broadcast, podcasting allows the listener to download a program from the internet when convenient and listen to it on his/her [|iPod] whenever and where ever the listener chooses. Of course the listener could just listen to the program from their computer too.

Everyone has heard all of the rage about downloading music from the internet. This is the same idea. But it's not just limited to music. People all over the world are starting their own programs, their own “broadcasts” or podcasts, and sharing them legally with anyone in the world with a computer who wants to listen. Major corporations are even doing podcasts: Disney, NPR, ESPN, ABC News, BBC News, sports, arts & entertainment, news, family, technology, public radio, talk radio, morning shows--it's all there. The list is huge! So why would a school consider using this new podcasting technology? I can think of several reasons:
 * The first reason on my list: it's free. It doesn't cost the school or the user anything.
 * So, you can't make it to the Open House meeting at the beginning of the year because of a scheduling conflict? No problem. With podcasting, you can download the audio at home on your computer and listen to it when things are not as hectic.
 * Your child's grandparents are on vacation in England and will miss his band concert. Not anymore. Grandma and grandpa can download and listen to it from the internet.
 * You can download your child's orchestra concerts and then burn a collection of the performances to a CD for your scrapbook.
 * Your child is having difficulty with the dialogue the class is working on in French. She can download the dialogue, as spoken by her teacher, put it on her iPod, and repeatedly listen to it back and forth to school, piano lessons, and swim team.

Yes, you heard the magic word--[|iPod]. With [|iTunes], which is available for free on Windows and Mac, you can actually download Mabry Middle School's podcasts from the iTunes store (for free) and put them on your iPod. (Directions will be posted to a link that will go here.) Listen at the gym, in the car, while you're jogging...whenever is convenient for you. You can even subscribe to the Mabry Podcasts, and many others if you choose, and have them automatically delivered to you through [|iTunes]. So the school's latest podcasts are available to you with no effort required on your part. And, I'm pleased to tell you that we are presently the 3rd school in the entire world to do this for you! (I was very disappointed we weren't the first!) And how much does all of this cost? Well, again, it's free. Now, I don't want everyone to think we will be podcasting 24/7 at Mabry. We can't. We're learning this new technology, and you are too. But in time, as we all begin to learn how to do this, I anticipate our having a slowly growing collection of podcasts throughout the year.

Podcasting will not replace our traditional means of communication. This is just another way we hope to increase the communication between the school and our community. from [|Podcast Central]

media type="custom" key="53796" TeacherTube [|Kevin Pruitt]

What equipment do I need?

 * computer
 * microphone
 * [|Audacity] free program
 * Audacity Wiki
 * [|Unlock Audacity] before saving!

Super Easy way to podcast!
[|Gcast] all you need is a telephone - could even be a cell phone!

How do I make a podcast?

 * decide what you want to discuss
 * write a script
 * make your recording
 * upload to internet

Easy Steps to Podcasting
from Vickie Davis
 * Prepare your microphone
 * you need a microphone (Wal-Mart $10)
 * plug microphone into computer
 * make sure that speakers are not on mute
 * Install the software
 * [|Audacity] is easy to use and FREE
 * Install MP drivers
 * if you are using a windows computer - you need the [|LAME] driver to export to MP3 format
 * click on any of the[| LAME 3.91-1] hyperlinks and download
 * unzip and extract it to the folder where you installed audacity
 * Open Audacity and make sure it is set up properly
 * go to edit - preferences
 * click on File Format tab
 * under Mp3 export format and click find library
 * go under your folder where you put the [|LAME] drivers (program files - [|Audacity])
 * Write your script
 * You are ready to record
 * click the record button (red one) to record
 * edit the file (use an audacity tutorial - see below)
 * make sure the project rate at the bottom of the screen is set to 44100
 * When you're done, export to Mp3
 * go to file -- export as Mp3
 * save it somewhere where you can find it
 * Find a place on the internet
 * see below
 * Hyperlink to your file after you see that it has been uploaded

Teaching Podcasting

 * What is the topic (will students decide or will you?)
 * Allow students to listen to other podcasts
 * Decide what types of segments will your podcast be? math facts, book talks, interviews, tours
 * Allow students to choose music and sound effects
 * Let your students be creative! But, be prepared to reel them in if they go too far
 * Set up a quiet area for recording
 * Have fun!
 * from [|Podcast user magazine]

Classroom uses

 * audio books
 * audio tours
 * lectures
 * foreign language instruction
 * decoding and reading fluency
 * digital reading portfolio (keep an audio history of progress)
 * audio book library
 * roving reporters for school newspaper
 * interviews
 * field trips
 * audio family tree
 * dictionary
 * class lectures
 * pronunciation guide and practice
 * book talks
 * read-a-long
 * country interviews
 * current events
 * word of the week
 * mnemonic devices
 * soundseeing tours
 * music sing-a-long
 * oral histories
 * overview of unit
 * information for parents
 * school news
 * classroom news
 * final projects
 * performances
 * presentations

Producing Podcasts

 * [|podomatic]
 * [|switchpod]
 * [|podcast pickle]
 * [|our media]
 * [|libsyn]
 * [|my podcast]

Examples

 * Middle school podcasts [|Podcast Central]
 * Middle school podcasts [|Bulldog Barks] Student podcasts
 * Transforming middle schoolers into middle scholars [|T.H.E. Journal] article
 * [|ESL]
 * [|Science Friday]
 * [|Interviews]
 * [|By kids for kids]
 * [|Math]
 * [|History]
 * [|Educational podcasts]
 * Cogdog

Tutorials

 * [|Podcast] tutorial
 * [|Tech Teacher] tutorial
 * J Dorman

Importing Audio

 * [|Podshow]
 * [|Pod safe audio]
 * [|audio]

Music/Sounds

 * [|Freesound]
 * [|Soundblog]
 * [|Digital Inspiration]
 * [|Squidoo]
 * [|Shambles]

Tips
from [|techLEARNING] "Eight Rules of Effective Podcasting"
 * Have something to say
 * Be prepared
 * Be short and simple
 * Be clear
 * Be yourself
 * Be unique
 * Provide detailed program notes
 * Don't stick in music just to fill time, or to punctuate your show

Directions

 * to use at school