In 2005, Oxford Dictionary's "Word of the Year" was:
pod-cast (n.) a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar
program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal
audio player.
This term beat out important emerging new words like "bird-flu",
"persistent vegetative state", and "reggaeton". While this
definition gets us
started, today it is slightly off-mark. Let's look
at what podcasts are and how they are created.
A podcast is a collection of digital media files
which is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for
downloading and playback on personal computers or portable media players. They are
available to use 24/7, on-demand. Think of them as radio or TV
shows that you can sign up for and watch when it is convenient for you -
there is no need to worry about when a show is scheduled for
broadcast.
The syndication feed is important, it is
like a magazine subscription, allowing users to "sign up"
for the podcast and automatically download updates as new podcasts from a
series become available. The best part is most podcasts are FREE!
This puts the subscriber in control - the content
we want to listen to can be set to download automatically. The
downloaded files are small and can be used on desktop or portable
devises. Think of it as a TIVO unit for the World Wide Web.
While one can start by just posting
files - creating the syndication feed (RSS) is what makes them useful to listeners - this is a powerful new tool.
Podcasts enable people to
listen, learn, enjoy, and stay current with media content that are of interest.
Webcasts (posting audio/video online) stream
presentation through a PC. The media is not saved on that
computer. Podcasts give users the option of
downloading presentations - the content then exists on the device that
is playing the files. Because content is downloaded to a local
device (pc, ipod, MP3 player, copied to CD or DVD, etc.) media is now
easily ready on-demand, even where Internet access might be limited.
While the term "podcast" comes from combining the terms "broadcast" and
"iPod", podcasts DO NOT REQUIRE iPODS OR ANY PORTABLE MUSIC/MP3 PLAYERS.
Any personal computer can be used.
This technology is not about Apple/Mac computers - it's platform
independent. The idea is simply to allow people to download content so that they can
use it when it is
convenient for them.
Podcasting is a means to publish audio, video, or even print resources on the Web as
a series of episodes with a common theme. Podscasts allow users to
sign up for automatic downloads of updates and new information when
additional media is released. The three types of media podcats are:
Audio. Essentially an online, radio-style
production
Enhanced Podcasts. Audio podcasts with
pictures and graphics, similar to a narrator talking about a
set of pictures or slides. Currently, these require
special formats and are usually created for iPods or Macs.
Video. TV style productions that include
audio, though this same format can be used to create narrated
slideshows using digital video formats that look like enhanced podcasts,
but are compatible on devises capable of playing video.
The most common format usually consists of audio files (MP3 format) that are posted to
the Web. We recommend skipping "enhanced podcasts" all together -
it is simple enough to create that style of presentation in a video
format that a wider audience can enjoy.
Educators, library media specialists, and anyone with
something to say or share should be able to see the value of
providing information in an audio or multi-media format,
accessible on-demand, using technology that automatically
notifies its audience when more information or updates are
available.
Word-processing and desktop publishing software has changed
they way we write. Each has have changed the way we teach
writing. Blogging is becoming a powerful tool in
education, both to teach content and deliver academic
instruction in an interactive format. Podcasting will also
become an important tool for teachers to reach out to the
diverse needs of diverse learners.
Sometimes, downloadable streaming MP3 files are referred to
as "podcasts". This is correct in terms of format - these
files can be used in iPods, MP3 players, PCs and even copied on
CDs. This falls short of the definition we are using:
Podcasting means connecting interested users with updates and additional podcasts
of useful information.
Podcasts are:
An audio or multimedia file of content representing part
of an ongoing series of updates that is in a downloadable
format (MP3 for audio, FLASH is a good option for computer-based video,
iPods and many portable devices need their own formats).
Uploaded to a Web server along with an RSS feed,
providing others with an easy way to "subscribe" and receive
each part of an ongoing series.
Users are expected to download the files so that they can
transfer them to any compatible device or storage media and
enjoy them when it is convenient.
The differences between Webcasting and podcasting
The use
of technology to keep listeners/viewers updated
Because podcasts are downloadable, they are portable
To achieve these objectives, podcasts use technology to
provide a "subscription," RSS feeds.
Let's take a quick look at what this means.
The
key to podcasting is to communicate with your audience,
automatically letting people know when there is more content they
may be intereted in. This is down with RSS feeds - an
acronym for Really Simple Syndication
(note: technical enthusiasts might tell you that RSS
stands for Rich Site Summary, whatever...)
Because this is such an important part of podcasting, we will
provide a brief overview here. More detailed information
is presented in our
RSS Feeds page. The
following general concepts will be helpful when getting started.
An RSS document, also called a "feed", "web feed", or
"channel", contains a summary of content from an associated web
site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to
keep up with their favorite web sites in an automated manner.
Its easier than checking them manually.
RSS content is read using software called an "RSS reader", "feed
reader" or an "aggregator". The user subscribes to a feed
by entering the feed's link into the reader or by clicking an
RSS icon (most often, the "wave" icon shown above or a
"subscribe" link on a Website). This initiates the
subscription process. "Reader" software checks the user's subscribed
feeds regularly for new content, downloading new content and updates.
RSS feeds can be formatted in XML, a companion to HTML that is used to
create Web pages. The goal is to allow computers to
communicate when content changes on a Website or set of source
files.
But this is starting to sound like computer geek stuff, to enjoy podcasts, we don't really need to talk about the technology that
underlies the process. If you want to know more, check out
a more-detailed explanation of
RSS feeds at Search Engine Watch.
Perhaps the easiest way to appreciate the value of RSS feeds
is to imagine having a lot of interests and wanting to find
media on the Internet about many topics. Having to
manually search each and every time you want updates could be
frustrating and result in a lot of wasted time. Having
information that you seek automatically come to you would be a
real advantage.
When you see an RSS, ATOM, XML, or
SUBSCRIBE link on a Website, you are being offered the
opportunity to receive automatic updates of text, audio, or
multimedia information. Its like subscribing to magazines
you are interested in - the difference being it is
FREE and the content is dynamic. Sounds like a good deal,
right?
Finding Podcasts
So how do you get started enjoying podcasts? There are 2 ways:
Aggregator Software. Download or subscribing
to podcasts with an RSS reader, also called "aggregator
software" or "podcatchers". There are a number of free
programs that allow you to subscribe. We recommend
JUICE,
a free program that you can download at the link
here. This is a short tutorial about using it:
An aggregator (like
JUICE) can be set when a
computer starts and run in the background. It checks the RSS feeds
you sign up for at a specified interval, such as every two
hours. If the feed data has substantially changed from when it
was previously checked (or if the feed was just added to the
application's list), the program determines the location of the
most recent item and automatically downloads it.
The downloaded episodes can then be played, replayed, or
archived like any other computer file. Users can
automatically transfer the newly downloaded files
to a portable media player, which can be connected to the PC
running the aggregator, perhaps via a USB cable or Firewire.
However, most podcast media is used on the PC that it was
initially downloaded on, never making it to a portable devise.
PodCast Directory. To conserve bandwidth,
users may choose to search for content using an online podcast
directory, like
Podcast Directory, Podcast
Alley,
Odeo.com, and
PodcastPickle instead of
using aggregator software to identify and automatically
download files. These directories usually allow people to
sample online content and
become familiar with different podcasts before deciding to
subscribe.
Automatic downloads from aggregators (option 1) are great, but studies
show that many downloaded files never actually get listened
to. Directories provide access without accepting each
and every update. If a user finds a great feed at a
directory, they can add it to their aggregator at a
later time should they decide having automatic downloads are an advantage.
Subscription links are build into
Web portals like
Google and
My Yahoo too. They
are being integrated into browsers like
Firefoxand Internet Explorer 7.
Install
JUICE,
or an RSS feeder/aggregator of your choice, and visit
some podcast directories - you're "good to go."
This presentation is about using RSS feeds, comparing and contrasting the
difference between manually looking for updated content and
using RSS, automatically being notified when there is new
content of interest. This video recommends using "Google
Reader"
This presentation is about using RSS feeds, comparing and contrasting the
difference between manually looking for updated content and
using RSS, automatically being notified when there is new
content of interest. This video recommends using "Google
Reader"
So you can see - getting started with podcasts is easy.
All you have to do is to think of content areas of interest and
use an RSS feeder/aggregator to sign up or go to a podcast
directory like
Podcast Alley to sample and
perhaps subscribing
to podcasts that sound interesting.
Now that we've talked about what a podcast is, the importance
of RSS feeds, and reviewed how to sign up, perhaps you are
interested in getting started creating them. While anyone with
information to share in the business or public sector can
benefit from podcasting, teachers at all levels are discovering
many advantages to podcasting.
Let's look review the basic ideas needed to get started creating
podcasting, one needs to:
Create a series of short audio, enhanced audio (audio
including pictures & graphics) or video files. All you need are:
A computer system with some hard drive space
A microphone that connects to the computer
A simple audio editor, like the free shareware program
Audacity
An internet connection
Post these files to a blog or Website on a server that is
capable of "streaming" so that viewers can
use the media.
Create an RSS feed, an XML file that provides metadata
(common buzzword today, just think "information about data")
about the podcast series and individual podcasts.
This would include the purpose of the podcasts, producer,
publication dates, length of podcasts, segments of each show,
and the URL of the Website containing the podcast files.
Here's a short overview of creating audio files - for more
detailed information, please check out our link for
Getting Started and
More Resources. Let's
assume that we know what we want to communicate, have our
presentation organized, and are ready to comfortably give it.
Creating audio involves having recording equipment,
perhaps software for editing and enhancing, and saving
them in a Web compatible format (MP3) ready for streaming.
There are several options - since most PCs accept a microphone
and many laptops have an internal microphone build it, there is
no need to purchase specialty equipment to get started.
A headset with a microphone to get started can be purchased
for less than $15.00. There is no need to purchase specialty software, free
shareware programs like
Audacity will handle all
of the basics and many advanced features as well.
Here is a short tutorial about using the
freeware program Audacity.
At its most basic level, the process is easy:
Plug in a microphone
Open the recording software programs
Check that everything works and set levels so that the
sound is as good as possible
Click RECORD and speak clearly into the microphone
Click STOP when you are done
Edit as needed (for example, cut out pauses or when you
take a breadth - make sure the content flows)
Save the file to a compressed, Web compatible format (MP3).
When using
Audacity, you need to also install a free
plug-in for this conversion,
LANE MP3.
Creating a Webpage
A detailed review of Web creation and design is beyond the
scope of Podcasts for Learning. We already have an
Online Web Seminar - if you want detailed information about creating Webs, please check out
Mr. B's Web Seminar, which
is also by
BreitLinks.
Podcasts need a "home" to host files - a Webpage with a
server that supports streaming audio and video. A podcast
is really a feature of a Web page or blog (Web log) that
includes a link to download audio or multimedia file.
Use the companion Website so that people can learn more about you and the
information and resources you share. Make the Web that
hosts your podcast a content-rich environment with as many
resources and links as you can reasonably put together.
This "adds value" to your podcasts.
It also provides another access point to your podcasts -
people using search engines to locate information may come
across your work, not even knowing that podcasts are available.
Having a well organized Website full of information that relates to
the themes of your podcasts will get people's attention and
encourage them to share your link with others.
The good news is that there are many services and tools
for blogs and Podcasts that are free. A
person can get started at absolutely no cost, though there are
advantages to utilizing specialty software and hardware. If you are looking for a free Web/blog service, try
Blogger, from Google. Just
sign up for a free account. Then you are ready to set up a blog (or
multiple blogs).
Blogger will
offer many templates and provide an easy interface with support
to create a Webpage. For a detailed set of resources about the
Internet, creating and designing Webpages, and most popular
productivity software too, please check out
Mr. B's Web Seminar, by
BreitLinks.
When you have an Web compatible audio file (MP3), Web server
or "host", and a Web page for a "home"; upload your files. This can be
done with free ftp software like
Coffeecup or with the blogging service you may
use. Be sure to
provide links from your Web/blog to your podcasting files -
remember, people that visit your site will likely want to check
out your audio/video files for too.
The difference between Webcasting and podcasting is
that the former provides files for users to stream and perhaps
download on their computer; the latter enables users to
subscribe and download files, making your work fully portable
and convenient to use. This leads us to the next part of
the process - RSS Feeds.
Creating RSS Feeds
Here's where we separate "Webcasts" from the "podcasts."
This will be a brief overview, for more, please see our
links for RSS Feeds and
More Resources. Are
you ready? If you have followed everything up to now, you can handle this
too. Talking about and creating feeds will require that we
look at how HTML and XML work.
HTML is the language or codes that create the magic of
Web pages. The code is all text-based. Those that
understand HTML can make beautiful, fancy Websites using simple
text-editors like notepad. XML is a similar style of codes that are used
for exchanging structured documents and data over the Internet.
Most RSS feeds are created with XML.
Go to any Website you like, you can even use this one, and
pull-down the VIEW menu, selecting SOURCE (in Internet Explorer)
or PAGE SOURCE (in Firefox).
You will see the code that creates that Website - this
one uses HTML. Note how the lines of code are full of
<name of command> at the beginning of each step and end with
</name of command> - these are called "tags". Beginning
and ending statements of code tell a computer what to do
with the content in the middle.
XML works the same way - probably the most accurate way to
create RSS feeds is to manually code them with XML tags.
It is possible to use software to create the tags for you - for
many a better option. Some freeware programs like
ListGarden RSS Feed Generator,
RSS Feeds Generator, </XML>
Feed Generator can create these codes for
you.
This was created in Notepad, saved as a .xml file, uploaded to our server, checked
for accuracy at
Feed Validator for Atom and RSS and KML, and
then links
to this feed were added from the podcast "home" Web (Bill Breitsprecher's Guitar Music)
and the
link to the RSS feed was submitted to podcast directories.
The code illustrated above isn't perfect. It could use another line at the bottom for
ATOM. We could
also add some tags that are specific to the popular podcast directory
iTunes. The
feed illustrated here valid and fine for our purposes. What had been simple Webcasts
(audio files sitting on a server),
are now podcasts!
If you want to know more about the details of the format and
tags used to create RSS feeds using XML, we recommend you look
over the comprehensive set of resources for
RSS 2.0 at Harvard Law.
You don't have to hand-code these feeds, you can use software to create these to.
The tags I have posted could be used as a "template" -
copy and paste the text into notepad and fill in the information between
each set of tags. If you understand what each set of tags
(<> and </>) does and fill in appropriate data between them,
then you will end up with a valid, usable RSS feed written to
current XML standards.
To finish our brief overview- note how I have presented all
of the tags in 5 parts. The example above consist of:
Information about the podcast series, called a channel.
A graphic for a logo and a link to the podcast's Webpage.
This section relates to the series (<image></image>).
Information and links about the first of three
individual podcasts or episodes, each called an item, in the series.
The first episode (on top) in the item tags is the most recent addition
to the series. Do you see the
tags that identify each podcast as an item? (<item></item>)
Information and links for the second of the three podcasts
illustrated. Each individual podcasts in the series has
a a set of item
tags (<item></item>)
Information and links for the third of three podcasts in
my example. Again, each individual podcasts in the
series has a a set of item
tags (<item></item>)
The first time we saw tags in HTML and XML, they looked
confusing - the more we worked with them, the more comfortable
we became. We will provide more information to
help you in our
RSS Feeds page and in our
More Resources section.
Once you work with XML and RSS feeds, this will make much
more sense. Please be aware that while there are standards
and my example and the link to
RSS 2.0 at Harvard Law
follow them, there
are slight differences between XML (my example), ATOM and the
tags that iTunes use.
Don't let the details of the code scare you - there is plenty
of help available and free online
validator services will
check your work. Once you get
your first feed done, whether you use an automated service or
"hand code" it yourself, the updates are easy because you are
only adding additional sections of <item></item> for each new podcast.
We have reviewed everything you need to know to get started!
We suggest getting started by creating podcast presentation files (audio
or video) first, then a "homepage" for them on the Web, upload
the files, and then create an RSS feed.
The other sections of this Web will provide more details and
resources to make sure your first podcast is a successful and
fun experience.
The
key to podcasting is to communicate with your audience,
automatically letting people know when there is more content they
may be intereted in. This is down with RSS feeds - an
acronym for Really Simple Syndication
(note: technical enthusiasts might tell you that RSS
stands for Rich Site Summary, whatever...)