Podcasting in 15 minutes …

June 1, 2007 FACC ConferenceChad Mairn

St. Petersburg College

Objectives

M P 3 +

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What is a podcast?

Podcast - • a digital media file (e.g., MP3), or a series of such files, that is

distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds (e.g., RSS) for playback on portable media players and personal computers. (Source: Wikipedia)

• You can download the media file[s] and listen to them on your computer.

• You can subscribe to a feed and have updated content come to you – like a multimedia magazine delivered to your home once a new issue is published.

• Some podcasts have a corresponding web page or a blog for show notes and other applicable information.

• In 2005, the New Oxford American Dictionary rated ‘podcast’ the Word of the Year!

Why listen to and/or create a podcast?• Why listen to or create anything?• Learn something.• Teach something.• Make lectures/discussions more portable.• Promote events, connect with your community,

and reach out to people with similar interests.• Provide reviews/recommendations for books,

other podcasts etc.• Record events and share with people who were

unable to attend it.• Accomplish almost anything you want.

What do you need?

1. Soundcard.

2. Speakers.

3. Microphone.

4. Audio recording/editing software.

5. Internet connection.

6. Place to store media files (hosting service vs. institution’s server?).

7. Web page and/or a blog with an RSS feed.

8. Something to say.

Step-by-Step Guide to Podcasting

1. Decide what you want to say.

2. Write an outline and practice it.

3. Record in an audio editor/recorder.

4. Export to MP3 or other compatible format.

5. Upload file[s] to a server.

6. Create a post or a web page linking to the media file[s].

7. Create and send RSS feed address to podcast directories. Use one-click subscriptions:

Step 1: What do you want to say?

• Who is your audience?

• What is your mission (i.e., institution, course goals etc.)?

• A promotional or educational tool?

• Will it be a series?

• How often will each episode be published?

• Will you include a corresponding web page for show notes?

Step 2: Use an outline and practice

Step 3: Record in an audio editor/recorder

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. Note: must install the LAME MP3 Encoder after installing Audacity.

Step 4: File >>> Export As MP3…

Step 5. Upload file[s] to a server

Step 6: Create a Blog post with a link to the multimedia file[s].

… Or Create a web page with show notes with a link to the file[s].

So, subscribers can receive the updated episode via their favorite podcasting client.

Step 7: Create and send RSS feed address to podcast directories

Some Best Practices to Consider• Spoken word without music: 22,050Hz (Sample rate) + Mono =

smaller file size. With music: 44,100 Hz + Stereo = larger file, but better quality.

• A 2:41 program recorded at 44,100Hz, 128 kbps, Stereo = 2.46MB.

• Copyright vs. Creative Commons license

• Use podsafe (royalty-free ) music [www.uniquetracks.com]

• Use closed captioning or create a link to show notes/transcript.

• Create descriptive ID3 tag (metadata) [add an image to the tag].

• Test RSS feed via http://www.feedvalidator.org/ and also with a podcasting client (e.g., iTunes, Zencast).

Contact Information

Chad MairnSt. Petersburg College

Email: mairn.chad@spcollege.eduPhone: 727.341.7181

Skype: cmairnGoogleTalk: chadmairn

The resources consulted throughout the presentation are available at: http://del.icio.us/cmairn (Podcast bundle).

The “Just-in-case” podcast example is available at: http://chadmairn.vox.com/ and at

http://www.archive.org/details/PodcastDemo

Also, you can add comments and see related presentations at: http://www.slideshare.net/chadmairn.