PodcastingPodcastingMarsheila KsorMarsheila KsorPodcasting is

simply delivering audio or video files via the internet to

individual subscribers who

download the files from various

personal media devices

It’s broadcasting to your Ipod (or computer, phone, MP3 player, and etc).

So what’s the difference between So what’s the difference between podcasting and uploading files?podcasting and uploading files?

Think of podcasting like an Think of podcasting like an automatic bank draft. Users automatic bank draft. Users must first subscribe to your must first subscribe to your service, but then as soon as service, but then as soon as you upload your podcast, it is you upload your podcast, it is automatically downloaded to automatically downloaded to all subscribers, which increases all subscribers, which increases the likelihood that users will the likelihood that users will actually listen to your file. actually listen to your file.

Podcasts can even be delivered directly to an I-Tunes account!

So Why Not Just Upload Files So Why Not Just Upload Files Instead of Setting Up A Podcast?Instead of Setting Up A Podcast?

Podcasting increases the chances that people will Podcasting increases the chances that people will actually listen to a file by simplifying the actually listen to a file by simplifying the downloading process. Once the initial feed is downloading process. Once the initial feed is subscribed to, all new files are automatically subscribed to, all new files are automatically downloaded.downloaded.

Podcasts are also easier to access on media devices Podcasts are also easier to access on media devices other than personal computers – a convenience other than personal computers – a convenience that also increases the likelihood that people will that also increases the likelihood that people will download the file.download the file.

It’s Just Easier!

So How does it Work?So How does it Work?It works through a feed and an aggregator

A feed is a simple XML file that lists the URL of podcast files along with descriptions and miscellaneous information regarding each file.

An aggregator is a software program that manages podcast feeds. It checks designated RSS feeds regularly and downloads all new files automatically.

VersatilityVersatility The more devices that synchronize The more devices that synchronize

podcast feeds, the more versatility and podcast feeds, the more versatility and easy access to users.easy access to users.

Can be syndicatedCan be syndicated Can be subscribed toCan be subscribed to Can be downloaded automatically when new Can be downloaded automatically when new

content is addedcontent is added

What are the Steps?What are the Steps?

1)1) Podcast Creator Produces Audio or Video FilePodcast Creator Produces Audio or Video File

2)2) Podcast Creator Generates or Updates RSS Feed Podcast Creator Generates or Updates RSS Feed FileFile

3)3) Podcast Creator Uploads Audio or Video Files and Podcast Creator Uploads Audio or Video Files and RSS Feed to a Web ServerRSS Feed to a Web Server

4)4) Podcast Creator Notifies Audience of the Location Podcast Creator Notifies Audience of the Location of the RSS Feedof the RSS Feed

5)5) Listener Adds Location of the RSS Feed to Podcast Listener Adds Location of the RSS Feed to Podcast Aggregator SoftwareAggregator Software

6)6) Podcast Aggregator Software Downloads Most Podcast Aggregator Software Downloads Most Recent Podcast FileRecent Podcast File

7)7) Listener Accesses Podcast FilesListener Accesses Podcast Files

What’s the What’s the Purpose?Purpose?

Posting Lectures for ReviewPosting Lectures for Review• Simply record the day’s lecture and upload itSimply record the day’s lecture and upload it

Delivery of Supplemental MaterialsDelivery of Supplemental Materials• Have students listen to the lecture before class so that Have students listen to the lecture before class so that

actual class time may be spent more productivelyactual class time may be spent more productively

Students Creating their Own PodcastStudents Creating their Own Podcast• Facilitate collaborative learning and encourage publishingFacilitate collaborative learning and encourage publishing

Educational Advantages

&

Can Schools Advertise Can Schools Advertise Programs by Podcasting?Programs by Podcasting?

Yes!Yes!

Radio and Radio and television offer television offer shorter periods shorter periods while podcasting while podcasting gives more time: gives more time: up to 3 minutes up to 3 minutes

Are there any possible Are there any possible disadvantages?disadvantages?

Students who intend to access the lecture Students who intend to access the lecture at home may not be inclined to pay at home may not be inclined to pay attention in class, which may create attention in class, which may create discipline or classroom management discipline or classroom management problemsproblems

At the college level, students may not feel At the college level, students may not feel the need to even attend class if they have the need to even attend class if they have access to the lecture at home, which access to the lecture at home, which would create serious attendance would create serious attendance problems.problems.

More Advantages More Advantages It is inexpensive.It is inexpensive. It has potential to It has potential to

yield excellent results.yield excellent results. It provides a captive It provides a captive

audience.audience. It provides It provides

measurable results on measurable results on how many people how many people listened and for how listened and for how long. long.

The visually impaired The visually impaired can learn via can learn via podcasting. podcasting.

Podcasting is Podcasting is targeted: people targeted: people who listen choose who listen choose to subscribe!to subscribe!

Are There Any Free Podcast Are There Any Free Podcast Hosting Sites?Hosting Sites?

www.Gcast.com www.podbean.com www.mypodcast.com www.switchpod.com

There are several sites which contain imbedded programs that make podcasting even more simple They creating the RSS feed and host the file. All you need to do is upload the podcast. In some cases (Gcast, for example) you can even use your home or cellular telephone to call and add audio files to your feed – just record your message and press pound when you are finished!

Be prepared to sign up for a membership in order to use these free services – meaning you will probably be subjected to advertisements and quite a bit of spam

So What’s The Trend? Podcast arrives on the scene in 2004. The New Oxford American Dictionary

selected "podcast" as the Word of the Year for 2005.

Forrester Research is projecting that the number of households using podcasts will grow from 700,000 to 12.3 million over the next four years in the US alone.

The School Library Journal (9/1/2005) called Podcasting “among the hottest trends going”

Literature Review

RSS subscription (podcasting) increases the odds that students will download course files

Podcasting has a positive effect on student achievement Students believe the availability of podcasts contributes to

their overall learning experience and prefer instructors who offer this resource.

24 hour lecture availability is suspected to have a negative effect on course attendance and participation, although no research exist to validate this claim.

Podcasting may perpetuate a current problem in which “students are becoming too reliant on materials that are intended as scaffolding

Podcasting does not possess any inherent value, but is only a useful tool whose value is determined by its users.

Podcasting has the ability to make learning accessible to the visually impaired.

References References Brabazon T (2006) “Socrates in Earpods?: The Ipodification of Education.” Fast Capitalism, 2(1). Retrieved online January 21st, 2008 from http://www.uta.edu/huma/agger/fastcapitalism/2_1/brabazon.html

Brittain S, Glowacki P, Van Ittersum J, Johnson L (2006) “Podcasting Lectures.” EDUCAUSE Quarterly, Vol. 29 No. 3, 24–31. Retrieved online January 21st, 2008 from http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0634.pdf

Campbell G (2005) “There’s Something in the Air: Podcasting in Education.” EDUCAUSE Review, Vol. 40 No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2005), 32–47. Retrieved online January 21st, 2008 from http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0561.pdf

Deal, A (2007) “A Teaching with Technology White Paper: Podcasting” a white paper by the Office of Technology for Education & Eberly Center for Teaching

Excellence at Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved online on January 24th, 2009 from http://connect-cdn.educause.edu/files/CMU_Podcasting_Jun07.pdf

Evans L (2006) “Using Student Podcasts in Literature Classes.” Academic Commons, Center for Teaching and Learning. Retrieved online January 21st, 2008 from http://www.academiccommons.org/ctfl/vignette/using-student-podcasts-in-literature-classes

Housley, S. (2009) What is Podcasting? Retrieved online January 31, 2009 from http://www.podcasting-tools.com/what-is-podcasting.htlm

Lane C (2006) “UW Podcasting: Evaluation of Year One.” Report by Office of Learning Technologies, University of Washington. Retrieved online January 21st, 2008 from http://catalyst.washington.edu/ research_development/ papers/2006 /podcasting _year1.pdf