ClacksBlog

Overview

This guide is intended to give anyone who reads it a clearer idea of what podcasts are all about.

In keeping with the aspirations of GLOW this written guide may re-appear as a podcast at some point in the future.

Podcast : A Definition

Podcasts are multimedia files which may be in the form of radio shows, music, spoken-word recordings, slideshows or video.

Types of Podcast

There are 3 main types of Podcast :-

1 Audio Podcast Comprises of just audio.

2 Enhanced Podcast Audio and still images

3 Video Podcast Comprises of video and audio

Podcast Content

The majority of audio podcasts are in the style of radio shows where 1 or 2 presenters introduce a mixture of chat, music and interviews. Enhanced podcasts include still images alongside the audio which may change in time with the audio. The images are usually a mix of company logos, photographs and sponsors adverts. Enhanced podcasts can also be used to create podcast versions of powerpoint style presentations. Video podcasts are available in many different styles including full length films, music videos, TV shows and training videos.

You can find podcasts on virtually any subject matter you care to think of.

How to find podcasts?

There are 3 main ways to find podcasts :-

1 Using software such as Apple’s I-Tunes

2 Using a ‘Podcast Directory’ Site

3 Using a Search Engine such as ‘Google’.

There are lots of podcast directory sites, however some are better organised than others.

To find podcasts through I-Tunes you click on the music store section of I-Tunes and then click on podcasts. Once you find a podcast you like the look of, click on it and then click on the ‘Subscribe’ button.

The Technical Side of Podcasts

Podcasts are either MP3 files for audio podcasts or MPEG4 files for enhanced and video podcasts.

Listening to Podcasts

There are two ways to listen to podcasts :-

1 Listened to online (known as streaming)

This is done by clicking on a button or link which opens the podcast file within the web page or browser.

2 Downloaded to your computer and listened to at anytime.

If podcasts have been downloaded they can then be copied on to an Apple I-Pod or other portable player.

An MP3 player is not essential to enjoy podcasts you could burn the podcast to CD and play it on any CD or DVD player.

Who would enjoy podcasts ?

Podcasts are about communication and entertainment.

People who enjoy listening to music or the radio, watching TV, videos and films will be interested in podcasts. There are also a large number of educational and training podcasts

Internet Access and Podcasts

Broadband internet access is a must if you want to listen to and download podcasts.

How do you download podcasts

There are two ways to download podcasts :-

1 In order to receive newer podcasts automatically you need to click on the “Click here to Subscribe” option. The “Click here to Subcribe” option is often a small RSS logo, a XML logo or there may be a ‘Subscribe to I-Tunes’ logo which will automatically subscribe the podcast to your I-Tunes library, as long as you have I-Tunes installed.

2 Most podcast sites offer a direct download option where you can right click with the mouse on a link and use the “Save Target As” option to download and save the podcast to your computer. This option means that you will not automatically receive newer versions of the podcast.

Podcasting : A Definition

Podcasting describes the process of creating a podcast and then making it available to other people on the internet.

Podcasting is often compared with broadcasting, however it really has more in common with the newer TV on demand services which many satellite broadcasters are now offering.

This is because ‘Podcasting’ like ‘TV on Demand’ is within the control of the audience. Once the podcaster has made the podcast available, it is the audience who are in control of when they choose to download and watch or listen it.

Why might schools and teachers be interested in Podcasting?

“We believe that giving the pupils access to rich learning materials at any time and anywhere is a fantastic enabler when it comes to independent learning.”
Quote from Connected magazine from LTS, Spring 2006

There are many potential uses for podcasts within schools, such as :-

Setting pupils homework
Video demonstration and instructional content
Weekly School Magazine
Reports on school visits
Showcase work e.g. music, poetry or debating skills
Information for Parents & Pupils

Benefits of Podcasting

Using podcasts whether listening to them or making them in the classroom can help raise motivation, promote independence, promote ownership of learning materials and improve communication skill amongst pupils.

Conclusions

During the process of writing this quide I have enjoyed searching for and downloading podcasts.

I have subscribed to over 50 different podcasts, some of which have as many as 48 episodes.

I have watched or listened to a wide range of podcasts including ‘Digital Video Tutorials’, ‘Video Drum Lessons’, ‘BBC Breakfast News Video Podcast’ and lots of music podcasts.

The potential audience for podcasts is huge.

Further Questions

If you have any questions you can e-mail me dkay@edu.clacks.gov.uk

David Kay, GLOW Mentor,
Click Learning Centre, 19 Mar Street, Alloa FK10 1DR

01259 720089