Podcasting Step by Step October 18, 2006 Holly Hofmann Sponsored by Title V Cooperative West Los Angeles College.

Podcasting Step by StepPodcasting Step by Step

October 18, 2006October 18, 2006

Holly Hofmann

Sponsored by Title V Cooperative

West Los Angeles College

• Wikipedia definition: Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. Podcasts are distributed using either the RSS or Atom syndication formats.

Why Make One?Why Make One?

• You can record your lessons

• You can record study guides for tests/quizzes

• You can record supplemental material

• Students can create their own podcasts

as extra credit or as project component

Good News!Good News!

You do not need an iPod

to listen to or create a podcast.

1. A personal computer 1. A personal computer 2. A microphone (built into the Mac)2. A microphone (built into the Mac)

Windows Sound Recorder will record podcasts in .WAV format.Windows Sound Recorder will record podcasts in .WAV format. 3. Some sort of podcast-creation program3. Some sort of podcast-creation program

MAC: GarageBandMAC: GarageBandPC: Odeo.com, Juice.com, Jpodder.comPC: Odeo.com, Juice.com, Jpodder.com

What What DoDo You Need? You Need?

Step OneStep One

• Prepare a script.

• It can be an outline that you will improvise from, or a word-for-word script.

Here is a sample format.Here is a sample format.

• General Format• Intro music/ Introduction• Segment 1• Segment 2• Segment 3• Thank you for listening/ feed plug• Exit Music

*Typical duration ranges from 3 to 45 minutes

Step TwoStep Two

• Open the program. Select a vocal track, press record, and begin speaking.

• If you make any mistakes as you speak, those can be cut in editing; just keep going!

• Once you’ve finished speaking, don’t forget to press stop (or press Record again to stop).

• Don’t forget to press Save!

Now you have created the vocal track for your audio file. [formats: .mpg, .wav]

• MP3 files are highly compressed, often 13 times smaller than a corresponding WAV file.

• You can use a shareware utility to convert your WAV file to MP3

Depending on the program you’re using, there are various other tracks that can be added.

These include:

Jingles…Background Music…Special Effects

There are five tracks here.There are five tracks here.

Step ThreeStep Three

EDIT your audio file.

Play back and note the time/location of misspoken words or other items you wish to delete.

(You will need to familiarize yourself with each program’s specific editing tools for deleting.)

Step 3, Editing, cont.Step 3, Editing, cont.

In GarageBand, you can drag and drop most items for editing purposes.

You can tag specific sections as “chapters” and anchor them with background effects or pictures.

Unwanted sections can be deleted.

Certain tracks, such as voice tracks, can beCertain tracks, such as voice tracks, can beprivileged over others with the Ducking tool.privileged over others with the Ducking tool.

! Caution !! Caution !

Make sure to Save again after your edits

are complete!

Step 5: Post your PodcastStep 5: Post your Podcast

• Select a site to host your podcast and provide you with a feed. (From a Mac, you can publish directly to iTunes, once you establish a .mac hosting account.)

• A feed is the web code that communicates the location and subscription info of your podcast to other computers.

• A Feed is published in RSS or ATOM format

iTunesiTunes

• For Mac or PC users

• iTunes is the most popular and central hosting location, but others are available.

• At this time, most iTunes podcasts are available free to the public.

PC UsersPC Users

• A site such as Odeo.com that will provide you with an RSS feed if you provide it with the location of your Podcast. You can even use its browser based recorder to record up to an hour long podcast.

• You can even record podcasts from your phone and upload them automatically to Odeo!

Review QuizReview Quiz

1. What is a podcast?

2. What 3 things do I need to make one?

3. Do I need an iPod?

4. Do I need a Mac?

5. Is help available? Yes!

6. Will it engage students? Yes!

7. Will it help students learn? Yes!