Podcasting

Goals

1. Understand the terms podcast and podcasting.
2. Learn how to create a podcast.
3. Become familiar with a free podcast hosting service and post your podcast.
4. Learn how to access podcasting through iTunes.
5. Know how to request an iTunesU account at the University of Kentucky.
6. Complete Assignments 1-4 (below).

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe how podcasts could be used in your courses.
2. Create a sample, course-specific podcast.
3. Locate existing podcasts applicable to your courses.

Podcasting

A podcast consists of downloadable audio files that can be accessed through a laptop, a desktop computer or a portable audio device/mp3 player. There are also downloadable video files, sometimes also called podcasts but sometimes called video podcasts or vodcasts. Podcasting refers to the act of creating and distributing a podcast. What distinguishes a podcast from other downloadable audio and video files? A podcast is a series of audio files (or video files) that offers a subscription. The podcast is the series made up of single “episodes.” Having said that, current usage has transformed the word podcast to mean both the podcast series and a podcast episode. A brief and easy-to-understand description is available at this URL: http://www.fda.gov/oc/podcasts/podcasthelp.html.

To play a single podcast episode, you usually need only a player that has come pre-loaded on your computer (such as QuickTime or Windows Media; you may also listen in iTunes, but you will need to download the iTunes software). To subscribe to a podcast series, you will need to download a software (usually free) that provides subscription delivery, such as iTunes, Juice, Odeo or another similar application. Once you subscribe to a podcast, those applications will search for new episodes and download them for you. You can also use iTunesU or a site’s RSS feed link to view new podcasts and download them individually instead of subscribing. Here are a few sites that offer podcasts:

• The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Open Culture: Free University & College Podcasts
• DarkHorse Podcasts (University of Kentucky Press)
• Podcasts at Penn State
• Art Mobs
• NPR
• iTunes U, the section of iTunes that offers university and lifelong learning content. Access through iTunes software (see Assignment #3).

Assignment #1 – Collect a podcast feed from a  Web site with a feed reader

(Estimated time to complete: approximately 15 minutes)

1. If you are using Bloglines, ensure that you are logged in to Bloglines (go to your bookmarked page and sign in, if necessary). You can also use Google Reader or another feed reader. Review the feed reader module if necessary.
2. Test with “Tech Therapy” from The Chronicle of Higher Education. Go to http://chronicle.com/techtherapy/. (Do no click on the RSS feed information; stay on that page.)
3. To subscribe:
   1. If you are using Bloglines, go to your bookmarks/favorites and choose the “Sub With Bloglines” bookmark or favorite.
   2. Or use the instructions for your favorite feed reader. Often it is a matter of copying the URL (i.e. http://chronicle.com/techtherapy/) and pasting it into a subscription line or “add” line for your reader.
4. This step is applicable only in some feedreaders: At the subscription information page, click on the selection box next to the appropriate subscription choice (this is almost always the first one), if applicable, and then scroll to the bottom and click on SUBSCRIBE.
5. That’s it – now the feeds from Chronicle’s “Tech Therapy” will show up in your Bloglines, Google or other feedreader. Note: Rather than downloading the podcast itself, the feedreader is accessing the information about the podcast feed, and sometimes a link to the podcast that can be played within your reader.

Assignment #2 – Create a podcast

(Estimated time to complete: approximately 60 minutes)

• Now you will create a podcast. First you will need to make a recording of yourself. Develop a sample audio file, not more than three minutes in length, that provides insight into how you could extend student learning outside of the classroom using podcasting.
  • To record your audio, check to see what recording software is already loaded on your computer, such as GarageBand on a Mac. Test to see if you can produce an audio file. If you are unsure what to do, or if you are unable to produce anything but a .wav file, it is recommended that you download software (see next step) for your recording purposes.
  • If you want to download a recorder:
    • If you want to download a free recorder that is usable on a Mac, PC/Windows, and Linux machine, Audacity is recommended. It is a basic audio recorder; no flashy add-ins or enhanced podcasts. Link to download and user instructions here. This may add up to 15-20 minutes to your completion time estimate.
    • If you are a PC/Windows user and want something comparable to the Mac’s GarageBand, you may wish to purchase software. Mixcraft ($64.95 as download) provides many of the same options, including add-ins and the capability of handling images for enhanced podcasts. This may add up to 20-30 minutes to your completion time estimate.
  • Access the helpful instructions for your software:
    • GarageBand: Podcast Creation instructions (thanks to Virginia Lacefield in IT Support Services for these instructions!)
    • Audacity: Download and podcast creation instructions
    • Mixcraft: Support page
  • Play with the recording software until you are comfortable recording and saving.
• Save your recording (file) where you can find it later.
• Export your recording (file), which may also be called a “project,” as a podcast, per user instructions. Save the podcast where you can find it later.
• Next, post your podcast.
  • You may choose any method you like to post your podcast. If you are not sure how to do it, then try Podbean, a free and fairly easy-to-use service. Go to http://www.podbean.com/ and sign up for an account. Continue below for instructions for how to use Podbean.
  • To add a Podcast, click on the Publish a Podcast tab at the top of the Podbean page. You will be placed in your “Dashboard” (control) area. (Note: If you happen to use WordPress for your blog, the Podbean interface will look very famliar.)
  • Click Publish a New Show.
  • Enter the requested information. The box/window for “post” means that’s where you write a blog-like post that describes your podcast.
  • Below the “post” window is the podcast upload area. Click on Browse and locate your podcast file. Podbean supports many file types, so your file can be .mp3, .mp4, mp4a, .m4v, .mpg, .mov, .avi, .flv, .3g2, .3gp, .wmv and even others. Note: .wav files are not supported.
  • When you have located your file, scroll down and click on the PUBLISH button.
  • You’ll be dropped on to a page where you can click on the words view site. This will take you to your podcast home page.
  • Click and listen. Be sure to bookmark this page so that you can get back to it later and, if you want, share it with others.

Assignment #3 – Use iTunes to collect a podcast

(Estimated time to complete: approximately 30 minutes)

1. First, if you don’t have it already, you will need to download iTunes. Go here to download iTunes and follow the instructions.
2. Open iTunes, which is separate software (you do not need to open your Web browser first.)
3. In the left column, click on iTunes Store.
4. You can still see that left column that you just clicked in. Look to the right of it. There’s a box that includes channels (like Music, Movies, etc.). Click on iTunes U.
5. Explore. Select a category. Click on one of the choices to see the episodes. Backspace and examine other choices.
6. Notice that some of the offerings allow you to “subscribe.” (If subscriptions are offered, you will find that button near the top of the window, near a button that says “get tracks.”) That means that new tracks will automatically download into iTunes the next time you open it.
7. Choose a podcast to download into iTunes – subscribe if you like. (To download or subscribe you may have to complete account information. You may be asked for a credit card for charging purchased items; that card number will not be charged if you are downloading a no-cost item.)
8. You will find downloads placed in your left window under Playlists. Open the folder to see the listing of podcasts in a spreadsheet-like format. Double-click on one to play.

UK is building its own iTunes U section, and faculty are using it now. If you would like to use iTunes U for podcasting at the University of Kentucky, Patsy Carruthers in TASC will be happy to provide the necessary information.

Assignment #4 – Reflections (Applications to Instructional Settings)

(Estimated time to complete: approximately 60 minutes)

1. In your Blue 2.0 blog (or wiki, notes or other reflections tool), discuss how you would use podcasting in your courses. If you do not think podcasting would be useful, explain why. Additionally, briefly discuss your experiences creating the sample podcast for this module.
2. If you think podcasts would b a useful tool, create and post a short, sample podcast that demonstrates how you might use this technology to augment your course. Include in your podcast the course this would be used in. (Examples: questions to prepared students for a class, questions to test students’ comprehension, providing additional information or examples.) In your blog, provide a link to the podcast or embed the podcast.
3. What did you find, if anything, at iTunes U that would be useful for your courses?
4. If working with a group, provide feedback to other Blue 2.0 participants on their blogs (or wikis, notes or other reflections tool) regarding their comments on podcasting or their podcast products.