The complete guide to getting started with podcasts

2. What is
• Podcasting isadigital recording of aradio broadcasting or
program that ismadeavailableon theinternet. Thisrecording
isdownloaded to adigital audio filethat is created, shared ,
and heard.
• Podcastscan contain amixtureof voices, music, sounds, video
and photos. Podcastsareportableor can resideon MP3
playersand can go anywhere. Podcastscan rangein length
from afew minutesto afew hours.

3. Two types of Podcasts
• Oneistheenhanced podcast. Thispodcast is
an audio that includesimagesand URLs. They
aredisplayed on acomputer screen or amedia
player.
• Theother isvideo castswhich areaudio and
video.

4. History of Podcasting
• Podcasting would not bepossiblewithout thesenew
developments.
• internet hasemerged tremendously sincethemid 90s.
• Weblogsstarted to appear (blogging becamepopular)
• RSSfeed wascreated by DaveWiner
• Audio blogging (recording themselvesspeaking)
• Podcast Cher softwareby Adam Curry
• MP3 (allowspeopleto taketheir music with them)AppleiPod
• Theword Podcast wasdiscovered on February 12,2004, by Ben
Hamersley.
• New podcasting technologiescontinueto grow and new ideasare
formed.Podcasting ismoving at thespeed of light!

5. 1.Therearetwo waysthat Podcasting isused asan
educational tool.
•Listening
•Creating

6. Accessing Podcasts
• To listen to apodcast, you will usean MP3 player, I
Pod, or acomputer with an audio player.
• Listen to thisvideo to help you understand what
Podcasting is.
• Common Craftvideo Podcasting in Plain English.
• http://www.commoncraft.com/podcasting

7. Reasons to use Podcasts
• Peoplearequickly connected to theworld in many ways.
Podcastsgivelearnersaccessto information and givesthis
information in exciting new ways.Studentsactively
participatein creationsof podcasts.
Otherreasons forusing podcasts in the library are to:
• Promotethelibrary with storytelling, newsletters, and
writing podcasts.
• Usestudent productsto sharelearning (student-produced
podcasts).
• Shareschool newsand get thecommunity involved
especially in theuseof technology.
• Provideprofessional development such aswriting book
reviews, tutorials, and discussions.

8. Advantages in Podcasts
• Filescan beviewed or listened to any time. You do
not haveto beon acomputer to assessfiles.
• Podcasting isavaluabletool for studentswho want to
review or understand lessonsto improve. Audio files
and videosarehelpful for studying and working.
• Filesareinexpensive. They may beuploaded to any
website.
• Studentsaremotivated.
• With apodcast studentscan becontacted anytime.
Podcastsdo not haveexpiration dates.

9. Disadvantages in Podcasts
• Materialsmust haveaudio or video filesto befully
accessible.
• Uploading filescan betime-consuming.
• Largefilesrequirebroadband connection and will be
difficult for thosewho haveslow dial-up connections.
• Thefileformat might not becompatibleto all MP3
playersand iPods.
• Studentsmight producelesswork becauseof
distractionssuch aswatching moviesor listening to
music.

10. There are three steps in the
podcasting process
2. An RSS(Really Simple
Syndication) isuploaded to
theweb.
3. Thepod catcher, which is
an application that readsthe
RSSfeeds, downloadsthe
audio file.
1. An audio fileis
uploaded to theweb.

11. Create a Podcast
1. Gatherhardware and software
•Micro phone
•Computer(recording and editing software) speakers.
•RSSfeed (freeonlineservicesthat can createpodcast
feeds)
2. Decide on content such as a template, theme
music, images, and text (such as an introduction,
breaks, and a conclusion).
3. Make sure you are copyright-compliant.
4. Practice until the session flows smoothly.
5. Record the podcast using the software.

12. 5. Test thepodcast by listening to it and shareit with
others.
6. Publish thepodcast by linking thefileto aweb site
with an RSSfeed or download manually. Sharethe
podcast and submit on aPodcast directory service
such asPodcast. net or iTunesMusic Store. Podcast
Alley, or Podcast Pickle. Test it so it actually works.
7. Promotethepodcast by advertising within the
school and encourageothersto subscribe.
8. Evaluateand adjust your template. Makechangesif
needed.

13. Examples of podcasts in a library
• With creativity and encouragement, librarians
can enhancestudent learning by embracing
podcasting and other emerging technologies.
• Podcasting callsfor editing, oral reading, and
presentation skills. Teachersarefinding that
Web 2.0 applicationssuch aspodcastsand
video-sharing sitesmovelearning beyond the
wallsof theclassroom.

14. Here are some examples:
• Storytelling for children or visually-impaired.
• Newsletters
• Writing creativePodcasts
• Book talksand book reviews
• Student podcastscan includeinterviewswith
peers, community members, and authors.
• Dramatizationsof students’ creativewriting
• Reading of booksto demonstrateskills

15. More examples
• Introductory lessons
• Tutorials
• Commercials
• Model speeches
• Replay highlightsof games

16. Other examples
• Self-guided walking tours
• Band clips
• Talk shows-sport casts
• Training for teachers
• Music shows