Podcasting involves creating audio or video files and distributing them via RSS feeds for others to subscribe to and download. The document discusses defining podcasting, demystifying it, understanding RSS syndication, subscribing and creating podcasts using Audacity recording software. It also covers enhancing podcasts with music, uploading files, and key podcasting websites and applications like iTunes, Juice and Levelator for optimizing audio levels.

1. PODCASTING
Audio Blogging for PC
Houston Community College
CIC Central
Ruben Duran

2. •Defining Podcasting
•Demistify
•Understanding Syndication- RSS
•Aggregators
•Subscribing to Podcasts
•Creating your Podcast
•Working with Audacity
•Odeo vs iTunes University
•Levelator Encoder
•Enhancing your podcasts
•Uploading your podcasts
•Key Podcasting Websites
•Downloads
Text

3. Define
Podcasting is online audio or video content that is delivered via an RSS feed. Many
students on Campus have some form of digital audio playback device, i.e. an mp3
player or iPod where digital media can be stored and re-played. The power of
podcasting is that users can
listen to exactly what they want, when they want, and where they want.
•For more on see-
“Podcasting to create dynamic,
multimedia learning environments”

4. Podcasting Demystified
An example: Insta Spanish
• iTunes University is coming...
• Available in WebCT
• Available ANYWHERE via portable mp3 players
Debunk - podcasting does NOT require:
• iPod
• mp3 player
• Mac
For more see Shelly Drumm and Ruben Duran
presentation:
“Podcasting to create dynamic,
multimedia learning environments”

5. Understanding Syndication- RSS
Podcasting involves a set of rules known as RSS (Really Simple
Syndication). RSS allows podcast content to be syndicated instantly on the
Web. In 2004, the RSS format was combined with aggregator software to
check RSS-enabled web pages for new audio content (Podcasts) and keep
users up to date on content.
Users had the option to have that content delivered directly to their home
computers, and ultimately, their digital media device or MP3 player.
For more on RSS see:
“Podcasting to create dynamic,
multimedia learning environments”

6. Aggregators
Mainly for subscribing to RSS feeds, and podcasts. Our two main
suggestions:
Juice(Formerly iPodder. Mac & Windows)
Created by Adam Curry and Dave Winer, is arguably the
program that got the whole podcasting ball rolling in
the first place. Features:
• The ability to feed subscriptions manually or automatically
• The ability to check for new podcasts manually or schedule specific times.
• Automatic downloading of podcasts to MP3 player and iTunes
iTunes (Mac & Windows)
For anyone using one of the 12 million iPods, iTunes is likely the software they use to manage their
digital music library.
iTunes University is rapidly becoming the podcasting platform
of choice of many higher education institutions,
and it’s coming to an HCC campus near you.

7. Subscribing to Podcasts
iTunes> Advance Menu> Subscribe to Podcast > then enter the url for the podcast directory you are
subscribing to.

8. Juice
From the Tools Menu> Add Feed > then enter the a Title for the Podcasts and the URL
(podcast url).

9. Podscope
“A search engine that can find podcasts according to the words spoken during them!”
New York Times, July 2005.

10. Configure the application and OS
Plug in the mic into the mic
input on the sound card.
Usually located on the back
of your computer

11. Configure the application and OS
Make sure the Mic is working
as an input device in windows

12. Configure the application and OS
From the start menu
choose Settings>
Control Panel>
Sound Speech, and
Audio Devices

13. Configure the application and OS
Sound and Audio Devices
Panel.
Click the Voice Tab

14. Configure the application and OS
In the Voice Recording area,
there is a menu from which
you can choose the default
recording device.
This should already be set to
the sound card in the CIC
computers

15. Audacity for Windows
• Record from microphone input line
• Create multitrack recording
• Import WAV, AIFF, MP3s
• Export MP3s
• Volume fade in/out feature
• Built-in effects
• Easy to use
• Freeware

16. Now is the time to launch Audacity.
When it’s up and running, choose File> Save Project As to name and
save your podcast

17. In the middle of the main Audacity window is a
drop-down menu labeled Microphone. If your mic is plugged into the
mic jack of your sound card, you are all set. If, however, your mic is
plugged into the Line-in jack, you must select the appropriate input.

18. Next choose Project > New Audio Track

19. The left portion of the Audio Track window will tell you what the recording
settings are. These should say Mono 44100. If you are recording voice it
should be recorded in mono, not stereo.

20. Record your Podcast
Now that everything is set up it is time to record the podcast.

21. Record your podcast
If you make a mistake, just pause and then pick up where you left off.

22. Audacity allows you to edit the tracks right in the Audio Track window.
To edit a specific portion or add an effect to it, highlight that portion of
the track.

23. Add music and finishing touches.
You can import music into the background and/or at the beginning and end of
the podcast. You can easily drag and drop any MP3 or WAV file

24. When the music is in place, you can highlight specific sections and
adjust the volume or apply effects such as a fade-in or fade-out.

25. When you are finished editing or adjusting the track, you export your
podcast as an MP3.

26. In order to export MP3 files from Audacity you will need an additional
plugin > LAME MP3 encoder
Downloaded the folder into the Audacity plugin directory

27. Next, a dialog box asks you to ID the podcast using the ID3 Tag.
Basically, writing title, description, etc...

28. The ID3 Tag info describes your podcast when read by an
aggregator such as iTunes.

29. Odeo.com
Odeo is a free service that
allows users to record and save
personal audio files and create
"radio like" channels to share
with others. Users also can
record audio directly from a
cellphone or telephone.
You are welcome to use this
service. However, we suggest
you wait for HCC to make
iTunes University available to
faculty.

30. iTunes U. Education beyond the classroom
One can imagine HCC classes that are
digitally recorded and then made available
as podcast notes. Students can download
the audio for that class and listen to them
while they are riding the bus back home.
iTunes U* is a free, hosted service for
colleges and universities that provides
easy access to their educational content,
including lectures and interviews.
Through iTunes U, students can download
content to their Macs or PCs, regardless
of their location. They can listen to and
view that content on their Mac or PC, or
transfer it to iPod for listening or viewing
on the go. Faculty can easily post and
change content on their own without
impacting the IT department. And, of
course, students can upload their own
content to share with professors or with
the class.

31. Creative Commons is a not-for-profit organization with the goal of
expanding the amount of creative work available to others to build upon and
share legally. It is an excellent place to find music to enhance your podcast.

32. So what is The Levelator? It's software that runs on Windows
or OS X that adjusts the audio levels within your podcast or other audio file for variations from one
speaker to the next, for example. It's not a compressor, normalizer or limiter although it contains all
three. It's much more than those tools, and it's much simpler to use. The process is very simple:
Drag-and-drop any WAV or AIFF file onto The Leveler's application window, and a few moments
later you'll find a new version which just sounds better.

33. Enfold Desktop
It is a free WebDav application
from the creators of Plone. With
it you can drag & drop many files
to applications such as WebCT,
Learning Web and/or your
podcast directory at Central.
It is a Windows only application.
It does not work on the Mac.

34. Enfold Desktop
eDesktop is already installed in
the CIC lab. To use Enfold from
a home or office computer
Download it from our download
site and run the installer.

35. Enfold Desktop Now
launch the application. It will
launch Windows Explorer.
Go to File> Enfold Desktop> Add
Session

36. Enfold Desktop
Add the Session Title, This can
be any name you want. It could
also be WebCT or LW, since you
can use Enfold to Webdav to LW
or WebCT.
Next enter the URL for the
server.
http://198.64.21.2
Leave all other settings as is.
Click OK

37. Enfold Desktop
Enter you user name or
password to access the server.
Note: If you want to use Enfold
to webdav to WebCT or
Learning Web, use the same
user name and password
assigned to you for those
applications.

38. Enfold Desktop
You are now connected to your
directory on the server. You can
just drag and drop files back and
forth to the server.

39. • Central College Podcast Directory
• Podcast Alley
• Stanford iTunes U.
• Michael Feldstein blog about iTunes U
• Georgia College & State University iPod Project
• Campus Technology podcasting article
• Creative Commons
• Podscope (Google for podcasts)

40. PCs and Macs with Headphones & Mic
Maranthz CD quality
audio recorder
iPods with Belkin Mic for stereo recording:
The new TuneTalk Stereo from Belkin features two high-quality omnidirectional microphones for recording memos,
lectures, interviews, or conversations in full stereo. Review your CD-quality audio later by using your earbud
headphones or computer.
Advantages
•Offers CD-quality, stereo recording
•Charges while recording with included cable
•Fits most cases
•Includes external microphone adapter (3.5mm stereo)
•Features one-touch navigation for quick memos
•Operates hands-free with included stand
•Offers real-time adjustable gain for changing noise levels
•Includes clipping indicator

41. Download all this applications from:
http://learning.cc.hccs.edu/downloads/
•Audacity
MP3 Exporter for Audacity
•Enfold Desktop
•iTunes
•Juice (formerly iPodder)
•Levelator