Podcasting Basics

Podcasts
How does it work?
What is a podcast?
How do I make and use them?
What type of podcast?

What is a podcast?

Podcasting embodies what I have described as the Martini™ style of
mobile computing
“Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere ”
A podcast is essentially a free, on-demand media file that can be listened to or viewed on a desktop computer, laptop, netbook, mp3 player or mobile phone at a time and place of your own choosing.
Depending on your device, this can be on a bus, train, plane, in a car, at work, at home, in the park and so on.

How does it work?
Really
Simple
Syndication
Podcasts are distributed via a web based subscription service (RSS feeds) and each new episode is automatically downloaded to your computer’s “podcatcher” or feed reader.
You can then transfer the files to your mobile device or listen/view on your computer.

What type of podcast?
Audio
The modern equivalent of a radio programme or audio book
Video
Short video clips - as seen on YouTube
Screencast
A method of recording your actions on a computer screen – ideal for short, visual how-to guides

How do I make a podcast?
This does not have to be complicated or expensive.
Some free (or cheap) options - using your own computer - include:
Audio
Use free audio editing software such as Audacity and a microphone to record your audio podcast
Video
Use a mini digital recorder such as the Flip or your mobile phone to record your video. Edit in Windows Live Movie Maker
Screencast
Use free screen capture software such as CamStudio to record and edit your how-to guide

How do I use podcasts?

Create added value by producing podcasts of additional materials such as quizzes, imagery, audio / video extracts to encourage reflection, peer review and discussion amongst your students.
This can build on the lecture content and enrich the learning experience

Explore the possibilities of using iTunesU in your University.

Upload your podcasts to the University VLE (typically Moodle or Blackboard) to enable students to subscribe to your podcast feed in iTunes /Juice or other ‘podcatcher’ and download to their iPod/iPhone or other mp3 player/mobile phone.
iTunes is free and easy to use on Windows and Mac and you don't have to have an iPod or iPhone to subscribe and download podcasts.

Students say…
“I listen on the train because I sit there and think right - I’m going to do something productive”
“If I had a spare five minutes I’d log onto iTunes to get the latest podcast and then if I had to rush off somewhere else, I’d listen to it later on”
“I waited until I was ready to start my assignment and then I watched the video podcast and it helped”

Podcasting Resources
EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative
http://www.educause.edu/eli
Podcasting for Pedagogic Purposes (PPP) http://ppp.chester.ac.uk

Software Links
Audacity http://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity
Flip Video Camcorder http://www.theflip.com/en-gb/
CamStudio http://camstudio.org/index.php
Windows Live Movie Maker http://download.live.com/moviemaker
iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

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Podcasting Basics

by Julia Ault on Nov 10, 2009

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