What is a podcast?
A podcast is a media file that is distributed by subscription (paid or unpaid) over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. [1] Like 'radio', it can mean both the content and the method of syndication. The latter may also be termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster. (http://www.wikipedia.org/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast#Audio_podcasting)
In more simplist terms, a podcast is an audio file that a final user subscribes to via an RSS feed. The important element here is the RSS component. An audio file alone isn't very useful, but with an RSS connection, an end user can be sent the newest information as soon as it is made available.
Audacity
- It's Free!
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Download Audacity and the LAME Encoder - Audacity is open source software that you can use to create your podcasts. But it doesn't end there! You can create your own sound effects! Edit music! But to make this really powerful, you'll need the LAME Encoder which converts your audio project to an mp3. Both can be downloaded from the link above. |
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Powerpoint guide to the download - This PPT has screen shots to assist you in the download of both Audacity and the LAME Encoder. |
Examples of Podcasts in Education
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Room 208 - Bob Sprankle is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine. He has been a 3/4 Multi-age teacher in Wells, ME for 10 years and now serves as the school's Technology Integrator. |
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Educational Podcast Network - The Education Podcast Network is an effort to bring together into one place, the wide range of podcast programming that may be helpful to teachers looking for content to teach with and about, and to explore issues of teaching and learning in the 21st century. |
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NPR Podcasts - Over 300 podcasts from a wide range of broadcasts and shows from the folks at National Public Radio. CarTalk, TakeFive, Natural Selections, NPR Memorable Moments, and much, much more! |
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Hemlock Public Schools - Recently this local school podcasting team won a national award for their podcast work. Check out this high school production. |
Podcasting with Students
Research Supports
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Using Student Podcasts in Literature Class - Each podcast assignment consisted of a "podcast pair" (two podcasts); students made a five-minute reading of a passage from a novel, coupled with a five-minute discussion of that passage. |
Podcasting software
(taken from: PodcastingNews )
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Windows Podcasting Software
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BlogMatrix Sparks!
- An all-in-one podcasting solution that lets you record, mix, share, publish, store and listen.
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ePodcast Creator
- An integrated podcasting application that lets you record, edit, create an RSS feed, and upload your podcast.
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ePodcast Producer
- All-in-one software for podcasting that will record, edit, create an RSS feed and upload your podcast, all from within one handy interface. In addition to the features of iPodcast Creator, Producer offers Real Audio compatibility, integrated CD ripping and other features.
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Escapepodder
- automatically generates an RSS feed and HTML for podcasts based on MP3s in a directory. |
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FeedForAll
- an application that streamlines creating and publishing RSS feeds.
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Folio First
- knowledge base application with RSS & podcast support.
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Free Podcast Maker
- simple tool for creating podcast XML files.
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MixCast Live
- lets you record podcasts, create show notes and publish feeds.
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Podcast Accelerator
- podcast module for the NexGen Digital automation system.
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Podcast AutoCue
- computer podcast cueing software; displays your text in a scrolling window.
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Podifier
- a simple to use application that automates the creation of an RSS feed, the enclosing of one or more MP3 files, and the ftp application to upload them to a server.
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PodProducer
- a free Windows podcasting application.
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Propaganda
- software for recording, editing ad publishing podcasts.
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RecorderPro
- RecorderPro produces professional-quality podcast recordings in MP3 format. The VoiceBoost feature performs the same signal enhancement used on radio broadcasts for clarity and presence. The recording undo feature allows you to record in sections for perfect presentations.
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Synclosure
- Synclosure is a RSS aggregator to flexibly download files in enclosures. It supports filter keywords, custom actions and a caching mechanism. (Source code available for other platforms).
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Webmaster Podcaster
- Windows app for creating RSS/XML feeds for podcasts.
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WebPod Studio
- software for creating audio and video podcasts. Comes in three editions: Standard, Professional and Enterprise.
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Winpodcast
- free application for creating podcasts. |
THE RSS Connection
For additional assistance and/or information please contact Mike Arnold, REMC 3&9 (989)249-8751 or email me at arnoldm@sisd.cc
