Overview
What is podcasting?
- Technically speaking podcasting is making files (usually audio, but not exclusively) available online with RSS feeds. RSS feeds allow a "subscriber" to get an automatic update at regular intervals when new content is available, instead of having to return to a web-site on a regular basis to download new content.
- Commonly speaking, although it's not correct, podcasting has come mean any audio files that can be downloaded or streamed from the internet and played (either on a computer or mp3 player).
- If media other than audio is involved in the podcast it usually takes on a different name. VODcast is used for video podcast, and a podcast with images and links is referred to as an enhanced podcast.
- Podcasts are typically updated/read/received with an RSS aggregator - for the purposes of podcasting this tool can also be called a "podcatcher." This is an application like iTunes, or Juice (formerly iPodder), and many others.
- So, the bottom line is that a Podcast is just a media file (usually audio) and an RSS feed. You make it come to you, by subscribing with a Podcatcher, so you can listen or view it when you want to - this is often referred to as "time-shifting."
Who can podcast?
- Anyone with a computer that can (at least) record audio, and is connected to the internet.
Who can listen to podcasts?
- Anyone with a computer that can play audio and an internet connection.
- You do *NOT* need an iPod or even a Macintosh
- You do *NOT* need an mp3 player in many cases (because you can listen to podcasts on your computer).
What sort of material is available?
- Audio: Essentially any audio that can be recorded can be turned into a podcast. Lectures, speeches, readings, conversations, shows, guided tours.
- Images: if you're viewing a podcast on a computer (via iTunes for example), or on an iPod that can display pictures, you can see images that are included in an enhanced podcast.
- Video: if you're viewing a podcast on a computer (via iTunes for example), or on an iPod that can display video, you can see videos that are delivered as a VODcast, or video-podcast.
What podcasts are out there already?
- Thousands already exist; typical places to find them include:
- Apple's ITMS
- iPodder.org
- PodcastAlley
- Podcasting News
- syndic8 (mostly rss feeds but podcasts as well)
- Daypop (mostly rss feeds but podcasts as well))
- Often you can find links on homepages to subscribe to rss feeds as well.
What can be done with a podcast?
- Essentially anything with a primary audio component including:
- On-demand shows (audio and video)
- Blogs with audio or video content
- Audio books
- Audio tours with additional image (or even video) content
- Educational content
- course lectures, course discussions, language labs, study support tools, music courses, interviews, speeches, other university-related events.
- example: BoilerCast
- example: iTunes@ Stanford (part of iTunes U)
- Storytelling
- Speeches
What else can be done?
- Distribute audio along with other text based products.
- Political podcasts
- Commentary podcasts (similar to turning on the directors comments on a DVD)
- Conference Announcements/Alerts
- Medical care (updates and summaries of important articles)
What are the Pro's of using a podcast?
- Time-shifting: you can listen/view the material when you want, instead of at a particular time when it might be aired.
- Students can re-visit past lectures as a study aid or listen to classes, or parts or classes, they missed (example: those late-comers!)
- Access to course materials is more flexible - reduced dependence on locations such as a lab or library - students can revisit these lectures, or use the study aids while at the gym, or commuting to and from class.
- Relatively easy to use, and effective, for multiple recording purposes (interviews, field notes, etc.)
- Greater student interest and engagement.
- Greater support for individual learning needs.
What are the Con's of using a podcast?
- Issues around where it will be stored, access, and copyright.
- A decent connection is needed to download the files in a timely manner.
- Primarily audio files, so limited usefulness for those with hearing impairments.
- Not designed for two-way communication.
- Quality can very greatly since anyone can make and publish a podcast.
