bronwyn desjardins ~grayston preparatory~. what is a podcast? what is rss? tech terms to know
TRANSCRIPT
Podcasting Made Easy
Bronwyn Desjardins~Grayston Preparatory~
What is a Podcast? What is RSS? Tech Terms to Know
Podcast Overview
Fusion of two words about 5 years ago: iPod + broadcast
Also in video now as Vodcast. Downloadable audio file for computer or
portable audio device (iPod or MP3 player) – doesn’t have to be downloaded.
Has subscribers – receive automatic audio feed updates
Perfect for Instant Information World Anytime Anywhere and most are free
What is a Podcast?
What is RSS? RSS = Really Simple Syndication It turns an audio recording into a podcast Saved in .xml format Provides: creator; show title; content
description; link to audio file. It is created by using .xml coding or a
program that creates the feed automatically.
NB: Audio file has to be stored on a server first.
Blog: web log – chronological publication Exit: music or sounds to end show Host Site: server that stores podcast and
RSS feed Intro: music or sounds that “lead into” the
podcast MP3: audio file in compressed digital format Podcatcher: program used to subscribe to
and download podcasts e.g. iTunes
Tech Terms To Know
have a clear understanding of what podcasting is.
be able to oversee student podcasting projects.
have the knowledge and understanding to implement podcasting in their classroom.
ObjectivesParticipants will...
Better understanding of curriculum content Develops language skills Develops critical thinking skills Opportunity to share knowledge and
opinions with a greater audience
Why have students Podcast?
Computer with Internet connection Microphone and webcam iPod touch can record video
Hardware
Audio podcasts: GarageBand (Mac only) Audacity (fee – can be used on Mac OS or
Windows) Podomatic http://www.podomatic.com/ -
record onlineVideo (Vodcasts) iMovie (Mac only) MovieMaker (Windows only) YouTube
Software
Know what you want for the end product Focus on content Treat it like an essay: introduction; body and
conclusion Time constraint – get unnecessary content
as they will ramble Technical aspects (sound, lighting, etc.) –
focus on one or two aspects Show examples and critique them
Rubric
1. Plan2. Storyboard (important for Vodcasts). There
are samples online.3. Write script4. Peer response to script5. Revise/ rewrite6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as needed
Pre-production
Rehearse before record Don’t read lines – memorise line by line if
necessary and pause recording between as it looks more professional
Record in a quiet place Keep sound at the same level – keep mike
at same distance, practice speaking at same level. Audio adjustments can be time consuming.
Have good lighting (video)
Production Tips
School news Curricular reports: foreign languages; book
reviews; history projects; biology reports etc.
Topics of interest: practise creative writing and speaking
Communication tool: school announcements; student or parent announcements
Ideas for Podcasts
Podomatic* YouTube* School web site Your own web site: more control Wiki* Blog* NB: iTunes does not host podcasts – you
have to link it to the store*Free
Podcast Hosting
Would this enhance your curriculum? Hardware assessment: camera; computer;
cables etc. Software assessment: try using itself first –
have basic understanding of it; make sure necessary programs are installed
Create the rubric Find examples Present the project to the students
Ask yourself...
Nicknames – make up on-air names Don’t give out private information – school
name/ address etc. Check privacy restrictions with school
Safety
Tech Chicks http://techchicktips.net/ *Kidcast http://www.intelligenic.com/blog Teach With Video
http://teachwithvideo.com/podcast.html*Step by step 45 minute lessons on how to
podcast
Educational Podcasts – How to..
www.IHeartEdTech.com (Blog) Twitter: @SimpleK12 @EdTechUNcon
Useful Tech Tips
What is it and how to use it Introduction to Audacity Interface
Audacity
Free audio editing software Record multiple tracks in a single audio file
– up to 16 and more Can import file types as tracks MP3, wav.
etc. Cross platform – can work on any OS
(Windows, Linux, Mac)
Audacity
Four separate tool bars Control toolbar (like a CD player) Meter toolbars (input/ output) - red = too
loud Mixer toolbar (output – speaker icon/ input –
mike icon) – can adjust input level Edit toolbar – cut, copy, paste, trim and add
silence. Zoom in or out of tracks to get a closer look.
Menu bar
Each track has its own display area Any track will appear with its own control
panel It appears in wav form – mute will mute
sounds and other volume controls (Gain) adjust volume of each track. Solo – will isolate a track.
Close button, track name, and track menu down arrow with varied menus – you can name a track.
Get to know the basic tools first.
Project Window
See Audacity notes Podsafe audio: http://podsafeaudio.com/ http://www.flashkit.com/loops Visit Dropbox folder for software download, copy of
Audacity notes, and Podcasting ideas Visit Diigo Podcasting Made Easy group for links
mentioned in this workshop blip.tv.com – create an account Upload file blip.tv.com/username/rss – copy this URL link to iTunes
to create RSS feed in iTunes store (more difficult) Or upload file as audio file in a website or wiki In wiki embed as widget RSS feed (easy)
Creating the podcast