(from the May 2007 Emerging Technologies and Pie Presentation)
Audio Episode: Classroom Radio
(1 minute)
A podcast is a series of audio or video files that the audience can subscribe to in order to receive, or be notified of, new episodes as soon as they are posted. The first part of the process involves posting digital audio or video files online, just as you would on a static Web page. The second part of the process involves creating an RSS “feed” that the audience can use to subscribe to the podcast. It is this second stage that differentiates a podcast from a collection of downloadable audio files.
Setting up a podcast the first time requires many steps, but once the structures in are in place, it becomes a simple process to add an episode. The hard part then becomes coming up with something to say on a regular basis. Before you post your first podcast episode, do some planning so you have a list of topics for future episodes and a clearly-defined process to ensure regular updates.
Subscribing to Podcasts
The simplest way that people find and subscribe to podcasts is through Apple’s iTunes software (free and available for MacOS and Windows). Specific podcasts can also be subscribed to from links posted on a Web site or blog that promotes the podcast. The following examples can be found on iTunes in Podcasts > Education or through their sites:
Grammar Girl – quick snippets about writing well
http://grammar.qdnow.com/
12 Byzantine Rulers – one 15 minute episode per emperor (some get two)
http://www.anders.com/lectures/lars_brownworth/12_byzantine_rulers/
TED Talks – short talks by “the world’s greatest thinkers and doers”
http://www.ted.com/
Recording Audio
Audio for podcasts can be recorded directly into the computer using a microphone (USB headsets work well and don’t cost much) or by capturing pre-recorded audio. Audio can be captured in the field using analog (i.e. tape) recorders, but will need to be digitized. You will get better results using digital recorders that can transfer MP3 files directly to the computer (check for MacOS or Windows compatibility).
Once you have digital audio, there are a variety of programs that can be used to perfect the file. Garageband comes free on MacOS, is easy to use, and has many advanced features. Audacity is also free and is available for both MacOS and Windows. Both programs allow you to do everything from clipping out bloopers to arranging multiple channels of voices, music and sound effects.
Creating a Podcast, Bart G. Farkas. – includes specific advice on recording devices
http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=605039&rl=1
Garageband Manuals, Apple
http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/garageband/
Audacity Downloads
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Posting Audio Files
Once created, podcast audio files need to be posted online where they can be accessed by the public (note the impact this has on fair use and copyright of recorded audio). The easiest place to post files for UMass Amherst classes at this point is UDrive. On UDrive, you can create a single directory with public access that you can use for podcast files.
UDrive
http://udrive.oit.umass.edu/ (use OIT NetID and UMail password to access your space.)
Creating Podcast Feeds
The last step for creating a podcast is to create a link to the RSS file that lists all the episodes. The easiest way to generate an RSS feed using on-campus tools is with a UMass Amherst Blog. By creating a link to an audio episode in a blog post, you automatically update the RSS feed for the blog. These blog feeds can be used by some podcast readers, but if you want your audience to use iTunes with your podcast, you will need to convert the feed to an iTunes-friendly format using an online service such as Feedburner or podcast publishing software such as VODcaster.
UMass Amherst Blogs
http://websites.umass.edu/
Feedburner – Web-based service that simplifies subscriptions and provides audience statistics.
http://www.feedburner.com/
VODcaster – advanced software for managing video and audio podcasts
http://www.twocanoes.com/vodcaster/