Creating Better Podcasts

1

Creating Better Podcasts

Dan Medakovic, OperitelRichard Nantel, Brandon Hall

Research

September 26, 1:15 p.m.

2

So Many Questions…• What is a podcast?• Why have they become popular?• Why use them for learning?• What software/hardware do you need?• What are the steps to produce, publish,

and subscribe to a podcast?• Tips, tricks, and resources• Integrating podcasting into learning

architecture

3

What Is a Podcast?• iPod + Broadcasting = Podcasting• Usually audio (but not always)• Syndication/subscription

(always)

4

Why Have PodcastsBecome Popular?

5

Why Have PodcastsBecome Popular?

6

Why Use Podcasts for Learning

Podcasting Options

7

Audacity / Freeware apps

ProTools LE / Mbox

Phone in Services

Professional Audio Production Facility / Marketing & Communications Co.

Garage Band (Mac)

Cubase/Vegas/Cakewalk etc. Web Based V/O Services

1000’s

Free

100’s

8

DIY- What You Need (Audio Podcast)

Text

Zoom H2 Microphone ($200)

Audacity (Free)

11

Podcasting Workflow

RSS

mp3

12

Let’s Record!

Let’s Edit!

14

Let’s Publish! (A few options)

Use a commercial hosting service(Easy and low-cost)

Upload it to a Blog(Easy and free!)

Host your own podcasts(Medium easy and free!)

15

Creating the RSS file• <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>• <rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/DTDs/Podcast-1.0.dtd" version="2.0">• <channel>• <title>Creating Better Podcasts</title>• <itunes:author>Richard Nantel and Dan Medakovic</itunes:author>• <itunes:link rel="image" type="video/jpeg"

href="http://brandon-hall.com/richardnantel/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/richardsmiling.jpg">Richard Nantel</itunes:link>

• <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>• <category>Audio Blogs</category>• <link>http://www.brandon-hall.com/podcasts/podcasts.shtml</link>• <description>Audio Podcasts by Brandon Hall Research</description>• <language>en-us</language>• <copyright>All rights reserved</copyright>• <lastBuildDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:14:12 GMT</lastBuildDate>• <ttl>60</ttl>• <item>• <title>Creating Better Podcasts</title>• <link>http://www.brandon-hall.com/podcasts/podcastingpromo.mp3</link>• <itunes:author>Richard Nantel and Dan Medakovic</itunes:author>• <category>Audio Blogs</category>• <itunes:duration>00:48</itunes:duration>• <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>• <description> (Running Time 00:48)</description>• <pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:09:35 GMT</pubDate>• <enclosure url="http://www.brandon-hall.com/podcasts/podcastingpromo.mp3" length="780851"

type="audio/mpeg"/>• </item>• </channel>• </rss>

Free RSS Generators• http://www.applytools.com/cgi-bin/sa

/podcast/podcast.cgi

• http://www.tdscripts.com/webmaster_utilities/podcast-generator.php

• http://podcastgen.sourceforge.net/

Online Resources

17

Name Description URL Cost

Audio Bag Royalty free music.

Pro. Intro/Outro with Music

http://audiobag.com/ $7-$29 / music clip

$57 / $77 (both)

ClickCaster Podcast publishing/hosting site.

Support audio and video podcasts.

http://www.clickcaster.com/ Free - $29.99 / mo.

GabCast Podcasting service. Let’s you phone in your audio.

http://www.gabcast.com/ Free- $12/mo/channel

Neosounds Royalty Free Music http://www.neosounds.com/ $14.95 - $34.95

Hardware• USB Microphone ($25)• Zoom H2 ($200)• Pro Tools LE and M Box hardware

$400• www.digidesign.com

• Microphone - $100 (get a metal one)• Recommend SURE SM57

18

Software• Audacity (Free)• Garage Band (Mac Only)• Pro Tools• Cubase

Integrating Podcasts into Learning Architecture

• Simply create a PodCast area on your website with RSS feed or include in Blogs, Wikis, etc. (one to many)

• Use a Document Library such as SharePoint

• Rich search, meta data, content management• Audience Targeting• One to many groups

20

Integrating Podcasts into Learning Architecture

• Assign them to learners via an LMS• Target community, region, location, business unit, job

position, competency• Include link in course registration message• Use a self-assessment button to track completion • Create a short post-assessment to test

comprehension• Include them in blended Learning Tracks (podcast

assigned upon Success or Failure of Learning Event)• Sell them via E-Commerce engine

21

Audio Tips•Start with the best source recording•You can hear the room – avoid large rooms,

reflective/hard surfaces•Use a good microphone and audio interface•Use a pop-screen•Use a mic stand (table top or boom stand)•Watch your levels•Normalize your audio

22

Audio Tips Cont’d

•Think of quality production values:–Interesting, dynamically varied voice(s)

–Imagine the audience (perform, don’t just read)

–Include musical breaks/intros23