Podcasting

• What is Podcasting?
toc According to [|Wikipedia] a podcast is a collection of digital media files which is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and personal computers. The host or author of a podcast is often called a **podcaster**. A podcast is distinguished from other digital media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when new content is added, using an aggregator or feed reader capable of reading feed formats such as RSS or Atom. A podcast can contain any audio or video you wish others to save and hear. Common programs that have been created to retrieve your audio files are [|iTunes] and [|Juice.] Podcasts can be accessed and listened to at a time that suits the user. You don’t have to have an iPod or mp3 player to listen to podcasts. Your computer will do the job just as well, it is just not so portable. After creating an audio file it needs to be stored on a server. The files are listed. The content provider then announces the existence of that file by referencing it in another file known as the //feed//. This list is usually published in RSS format. People can subscribe to the podcast feed. When new episodes become available in the podcast they will be automatically downloaded on that user’s computer.

There are three main types of podcasts: media type="youtube" key="TPyoJisyO2o&hl=en" height="355" width="425"
 * Audio** - straight audio
 * Enhanced** - with photos/graphics
 * Vodcast** - with moving pictures

• How Do I Find and Access Podcasts?
Podcasts are available everywhere on every subject. To take advantage of what is already available you need a program to view podcasts on your computer. iTunes works on both Macs and PCs and is a free download from Apple. You can also access and manage podcasts using an RSS feed reader such as Google Reader. Just sign in for a free Google account to access this service. The beauty of podcasts is that once you have found something you are after, e.g. something from the National Geographic series, you can subscribe to the podcast and receive regular updates of the latest episodes. To use iTunes to subscribe to your desired podcast open[|iTunes] (this link will allow you to download iTunes if you don't already have it) and go to the iTunes store. If you don’t already have one, create an account by clicking on the account button on the right hand side. Once you have an account a huge range of podcasts are available for free. Find the category you are interested in and browse or do a search. Find your desired podcast series and click the subscribe button. This subscription will be sent to the Podcasts folder in iTunes on your computer. Open the desired folder and either click ‘Get’ for a single episode or ‘Get All’ to download all episodes up to date. Each subsequent episode will be forwarded to you automatically. You can now view them at your leisure either on your computer or your mp3 player. Another way to subscribe to a podcast series is when browsing the web. Sites often have button that asks if you wish to subscribe. You might be asked to direct it to iTunes or your desired RSS reader. Alternatively you might already know the URL of a podcast you would like to subscribe to. To access it go to iTunes and select ‘subscribe to podcast’ from the advanced menu. Simply type the URL in and click OK.

• What equipment do I need to create my own podcast?
It is up to you as to how sophisticated your equipment is, but it is possible to create a podcast with basic equipment. Obviously the quality of the podcast will be determined by the equipment you use. Firstly you need a microphone to speak into. This may be built into your computer, but it would be preferable to use an external microphone to give a better sound quality and reduce background noise. Recording software is your next requirement. There is a range of free and commercial programs available. Some record audio only, some audio and slides and others video. Some available software is: Audio: [|Audio Recorder], [|Audio Hijack Pro], [|Audacity] ( will also need free [|LAME plugin] for mp3 formatting) Garageband Easy Podcast [|Gcast] Enhanced: Audio + Slides - [|Profcast]Video: [|QuicktimePro], [|Camstudio] Windows Media Encoder, iMovie, Windows Movie Maker For video podcasts you will also need a video camera or programs such as KidPix or iMovie and software to encode it into software iPods can read. Encoders: [|Quicktime Pro] [|Handbrake] or [|Videora]

As well as the instructions that come with the above software there are many sites on the web offering instructions for the creation of podcasts. A simple google search will find many for you. How to Podcast ]] - an easy to follow tutorial. [|Podcasting Workshop]
 * [| John Larkin] ********* has done an amazing amount of work on this subject. He runs a variety of technology based workshops for educators. His website and blog are worth a look for great info and how to's. Look down the right hand menu for a variety of instructions using most of the software mentioned above. Well worth a visit!!!! [[http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/00-podcast-tutorial-four-ps.htm|

• Sharing Your Creations
[toc] After creating your podcast you will need to publish it so it can be accessed. Many Bloghosts will also host your podcasts. Some are free (limited) and some cost. Rates appear to be quite reasonable. For Mac Users [|Podcast Maker] ($30 - you can get a free 30 day trial) makes podcasting simple. Create your content in your usual way then simply drag it into the Podcast Maker. The program creates the RSS feed. [|GCast], [|Podbean], [|PodOmatic] and [|Ourmedia] all offer free or cheap hosting solutions for podcasts. Follow the links to see how each service works. Most of these will allow you to add a feed to a reader such as iTunes or Google Reader. Don't forget your school webpage and mac users with a .mac account can use it.

• Why Podcast?
In a world of 21st century learners podcasting provides opportunities for the learner to be an active contributor to the learning process. A variety of learning styles is being catered for during the process of creating a podcast as well as teamwork skills. Podcasting provides students with an audience, be it peers, parents, other classes or the wider world. It provides the students with a global perspective allowing them to link with other classrooms and schools. Those schools might be on the other side of the world! A meaningful context for improving clarity and confidence in oral skills as well as development of planning, writing and organisational skills is also an outcome of podcast development and production, not to mention the technology skills being developed. The students are being encouraged to be creative and expressive and above all will find learning FUN!

• Podcast What?
What type of podcast should we make? The possibilities are endless. You determine the needs of your class and run from there. Every KLA an be supported by podcasting. What a great way to share work samples. Having the students presenting their learning or teaching others what they have learnt. Interviews to support your unit of work, class news, parent updates. Remember podcasts can contain visual elements as well. How about a music program? A news station? Tutorials. You could even set up your own school radio station which could include examples of all of the above - even a sportcast! You can go as fast or slow as you like. Once the students have been given the skills they will run with it and come up with endless ideas. Here are some links I found in a very short time doing a variety of Google searches. I'm sure you can find even more!. I'd love to hear from you if you do. [|Show Your support Podcast Competition] -  The AOC has challenged young sports fans to create a podcast highlighting their support for the Australian Team. [|Podkids Australia] - A collection of Vodcasts and audio podcasts fro year 4/5 students in Perth WA. You can subscribe to these podcasts through iTunes. Of particular interest is Podcast 12 on Connected Learning. The class has used a blog to host their podcasts. [|Allanah's Appleby Showcase]  - Year 4&5 students in New Zealand are learning new ways of communicating and are enjoying learning how to podcast. Great stuff here experimenting with different types of podcasts. [|MrColey.com] - A class teacher's webpage complete with podcasting sections. Where does he get the time? Don't just check out the podcasting section - there's lots of great stuff here. [|Radio Willoweb] - A school 'radio' station about things they learn in school.  [|bcpodclassroom] - Podcasts from a fifth grade classroom on a variety of topics.These podcasts are all audio and presented on '[|Podbean]'. [|The Downs FM] - A School Radio Station using podcasting [|Radio Sandaig] - another school radio station. [|Podcast Central] - a more 'mature' approach to podcasting in an educational setting. [|Blitto's Podcasts] - Teacher created Biology podcasts. [|Blitto's Podcasts] - Student created podcasts for revising work. [|Blitto's Podcasts] - A Year 12 Biology podcasting Assignment. [|Chemistry: Meagher's classes] - Chemistry podcasts. [|Yarrilee State School Podcasts] - A series of unit related podcasts.