1. Podcasting Basics
Anne Allen
July 14-15, 2009

2. Workshop Objectives
 View sample podcasts to make list of best
practices
 Write a sample script for a podcast program
 Create a simple podcast using the Audacity
freeware.
 Import music clips for transitions and effects
 Practice editing techniques for voice and
music
 Export the final podcast as a MP3 file for
publishing on the Internet

3. Why Podcast?
 It’s cheap  Copyright education
 Global  Interactive
 Direct  Addresses diverse
communication learning needs
 Storytelling  Extends the school
 Transparent day
classroom  Creative
 Fun

4. Affecting student learning and
retention
 Portable access to course material
 Lectures and other content are readily
available
 Rich media material to complement written
text
 Assists auditory learners
 Assists non-native speakers of English
 Assists foreign language learners
 Review sessions

5. What is a Podcast?
 A combination of the words iP o d and
broadc a s t in g (Vodcasting = v ideo ipo d
broadcasting).
 Podcasting is a method of publishing files to the
Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed and
receive new files automatically by subscription.
 A podcast is RSS content that you’ve subscribed to
and is delivered via the Internet.
 A “podcatcher” program such as iTunes is then
used to display the podcast; content aggregator

6. Do you need an iPod to Podcast?
 No
 All podcast files are encoded as mp3 files
 Listen using almost any computer application:
 iTunes automatically subscribes to the Podcast
 Media Player, Real Audio Player, WinAmp, and
many others.
 Download and burn mp3 files to a CD
 Transfer mp3 files to any portable media device

7. What does it require?
 Audio file
 RSS XML file

8. Audio File
 Typically an .mp3 file
 Recorded on the computer or in the field

9. RSS XML File
 Really Simple Syndication
 Human-readable
 Use to subscribe to a podcast

10. Examples
 KidCast
 http://intelligenic.com/kidcast/rss.xml
 Radio WillowWeb
 http://feeds.feedburner.com/RadioWillowWeb
 Lakeridge Podcast System
 http://www.misd.k12.wa.us/teachers/jburker/rss.xml
 NPR Education
 http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast.php?id=1013

11. More Examples
 Talking History
 http://talkinghistory.oah.org/
 Science Friday
 http://www.sciencefriday.com/feeds/radio/
 Science at NASA Podcast
 http://science.nasa.gov/podcast.htm
 Grammar Girl
 http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/

12. What are best practices in
podcasting?
 In pairs, explore different podcasts and create a list of
best practices.
 Obvious link on webpage for accessing
 Good script for reading
 Specific with target audience
 Creative/appropriate use of music
 Strong, clear introduction – can totally turn someone
off if not effective
 Practice, practice, practice
 Idea: videotape students working, show them
 Engaging topic
 Length = not too long. 4-5 minutes. 60 minutes = no
rules – depends on target audience, content

13. 4 Step Process
 Plan
 Produce
 Publish
 Promote

14. The Process
1. Plan, plan, and plan a little more
2. Record and edit your audio
3. Convert edited audio file to .mp3
format
4. Upload the .mp3 file to a web server
5. Create an RSS feed so people can
subscribe to the podcast
6. Let the computer do the work keeping
track of new episodes

15. Plan - Storyboard
 Intro – Name, Organization, Motto,
Website address
 Some of topics
 Intro tune, exit tune, tunes during
pauses
 Use a script

16. Format
 Solo or other hosts?
 What segments do you want to do (e.g.
tip of the day, reviews, breaking news,
interviews etc.)?
 How long?
 How often
 Talking or music, too?
 Something entirely unique?

17. Recording Location

18. Using Audacity

23. Demo

24. Assignment
 Practice first
 In pairs, sketch out your podcast for an
interview for one of the following topics:
 First car
 Most interesting job
 First date
 Prepare a script
 Prepare three tracks of voice (intro, interview,
exit)
 Record the interview
 Rewind and play

25. Editing audio

30. Assignment
 Edit your audio tracks
 Effects
 Deleting
 Joining

31. Import music

32. Importing Music
 Creative Commons
 http://creativecommons.org/audio/
 Royalty-Free Music
 http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com/royalty-free-music

33. Day 2
 Review
 Create classroom project – all day
 10:45 – Sonicfire
 12:30 – Publish – Podbean or PodOmatic
 Slideshare and Slidecast (optional)
 1:30 – Vlog It
 2:00 – Hear and Tell

34. Position files

35. Adjust the track volumes

36. Fade the music out

37. Exporting as MP3 Files

40. Plan 2 Podcasts
 Either individual or groups of 2 or 3
 Start thinking about segment ideas
 Brainstorm and write segment
 Record segment
 Read your segment aloud
 Enthusiasm
 Audience
 Record for practice and listen

41. Editing and publishing your Podcast
 Clean up the audio
 Convert audio to mp3
 Use consistent naming: Show_title-yearmonth-
day.file_extension
 Create your feed
 Publish!

42. Hosting Podcasts

48. Assessing
 Podcasting touches on all aspects of the
writing process: outlining, writing, revising,
rehearsing, performing
 Rubrics for podcasting
 Public document: want to sound competent