FAQ Podcast
What is a Podcast?
A podcast is either an audio or video file that can be downloaded and played on an ipod and other mp3 players (for video you must have a video enabled device). The podcast is then loaded onto a website with an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed. The RSS feed allows for automatically updating the user’s computer with information that has changed on the website (RSS is a XML file). Therefore new items can be posted and then downloaded to users as needed. The RSS can be used for other purposes than podcasting.
Why might I use a Podcast?
Using a podcast for an educational purpose has many potential uses. After a set of homework has been turned in by students, the solutions could be composed as a podcast. Very important review points could be a podcast. Lectures could be converted into a podcast. Additional material beyond what is traditionally lectured. Discussions among multiple individuals could be recorded and placed into this format. These are a few potential uses of podcasting.
How do I create a Podcast?
As stated earlier, there are two types of podcast; audio only or video (which includes audio). Most iPod and mp3 players can receive an audio formatted podcast. Currently, video created podcasting can be displayed on a much smaller number of devices. Podcast can be displayed directly on a computer without the need for an iPod or mp3 player. Podcasting currently is displayed using Apples iTunes player, which uses Quick Time.
An Audio podcast requires that the creator has a software program that will save mp3 files. There are many different products that can do this but, in trying to show ways in which this can be done at the lowest possible cost, I will recommend a free product. Audacity is a very nice audio editor but, to save the file as an mp3, you must also have a free product called Lame. Links to Audacity and Lame are included below. You must also have a relatively good microphone/headset. Once the audio file has been completed, reviewed, and saved as an mp3 file type, the file must have been saved in a folder that can be uploaded to a webserver. Next you need to create the RSS xml page. This page can be created in wordpad or any other text editor. The RSS accumulator has two parts, a subscription part and a episode part (the episode is related to the file you created and will be repeated in the RSS file for additional events). I have provided a link to the code since the blog kept trying to run it, the code was postd on a website at MIT and provided a link to this website.
What is a Podcast?
A podcast is either an audio or video file that can be downloaded and played on an ipod and other mp3 players (for video you must have a video enabled device). The podcast is then loaded onto a website with an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed. The RSS feed allows for automatically updating the user’s computer with information that has changed on the website (RSS is a XML file). Therefore new items can be posted and then downloaded to users as needed. The RSS can be used for other purposes than podcasting.
Why might I use a Podcast?
Using a podcast for an educational purpose has many potential uses. After a set of homework has been turned in by students, the solutions could be composed as a podcast. Very important review points could be a podcast. Lectures could be converted into a podcast. Additional material beyond what is traditionally lectured. Discussions among multiple individuals could be recorded and placed into this format. These are a few potential uses of podcasting.
How do I create a Podcast?
As stated earlier, there are two types of podcast; audio only or video (which includes audio). Most iPod and mp3 players can receive an audio formatted podcast. Currently, video created podcasting can be displayed on a much smaller number of devices. Podcast can be displayed directly on a computer without the need for an iPod or mp3 player. Podcasting currently is displayed using Apples iTunes player, which uses Quick Time.
An Audio podcast requires that the creator has a software program that will save mp3 files. There are many different products that can do this but, in trying to show ways in which this can be done at the lowest possible cost, I will recommend a free product. Audacity is a very nice audio editor but, to save the file as an mp3, you must also have a free product called Lame. Links to Audacity and Lame are included below. You must also have a relatively good microphone/headset. Once the audio file has been completed, reviewed, and saved as an mp3 file type, the file must have been saved in a folder that can be uploaded to a webserver. Next you need to create the RSS xml page. This page can be created in wordpad or any other text editor. The RSS accumulator has two parts, a subscription part and a episode part (the episode is related to the file you created and will be repeated in the RSS file for additional events). I have provided a link to the code since the blog kept trying to run it, the code was postd on a website at MIT and provided a link to this website.
http://vince.jcc.kctcs.edu/podcasts/rss.htm
You will want to place your information within each area of bold font. The part listed in the channel is the part for the subscription. The part listed under item is the part that you will change for each episode or event and your file may have multiple copies of this. Finally, you will need to create a podcast page; this page can be created in any web editing software that you wish. This page needs to describe what the purpose of the audio file is. It should be named default.htm. On this page you should have a place for people to subscribe to your podcasts. A button should be linked to your RSS file. Make sure you save your default page in the same location as your RSS file and, since this whole folder will be uploaded to the server, your audio file should also be in this folder.
Video file production is a little different. It is also known as Vodcast. You will need a digital video camera and a tripod. First, you will need to video tape the information you wish to share. Next, you will need to edit the video, adding title slides and transitions. There is lots of software that can do this editing for you. Microsoft Moviemaker 2 is a free product that can be used if you are running Windows XP. You will need to save your podcast in a size for the iPod of 320 x 240. Once the movie file has been created you will need to save it in an H.264 format; this will require opening up your saved video in Quicktime Pro (not the free version) or use a free converter from the web.
For those using an iMac, the iLive software has built in templates.
How do I publish a Podcast?
Once you have created your webpage, RSS files, and placed your audio and/or video files in the same folder, you will need to upload this folder to a webserver. There are many different uploading options from free locations, iTunes, or your own institutional servers.
What software is needed to create and publish a Podcast?
You will need an audio editor that can save a file as an mp3; if you are doing video editing, you will need a video editing software. Free software is available for both of these formats. You will need to have iTunes running on your computer so that you can make sure that your site is functioning. You should also have access to an iPod to insure that your podcasts are functioning properly. It is important that the file formats are proper and, in the case of video, that the size is appropriate.
What hardware do I need?
For audio podcast, you need only a microphone. For video podcasts you need a digital video camera.
What software will the students need for Podcasting?
The students will only need to have iTunes to hear or view your podcasts. To play your podcasts external from a computer, they will need either an iPod or mp3 player.
Links
http://web.mit.edu/ist/podcasts/makepodcast.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(protocol)
http://www.timmadden.com.au/podcast-logos.htm
http://www.pixagogo.com/5111825842
http://web.forret.com/tools/podicons.asp
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vodcast
http://www.globaladvancedmedia.com/html/creatingvideopodcasts.html
http://www.globaladvancedmedia.com/html/allaboutpodcasting.html
http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/
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