 What is a podcast? Basically:
A podcast is an audio broadcast available on the Web to the public for free playing or downloading to a personal computer or a digital audio player. Despite its name, a podcast may be played through a variety of digital audio software and hardware. Use is not limited to the iPod brand products developed by Apple.
Podcasting is becoming more and more popular in the educational setting. Some of the ways that they are used include, but are not limited to:
Teacher-Created Podcasts
A teacher may create a podcast for a variety of reasons, such as:
*Recording a portion of a lecture or discussion during classtime for students to listen to if they are gone or as a review.
*Recording a welcome message for parents.
Accessing Existing Podcasts on The Web
*There are dozens of sites on the web that let students and teachers listen to podcasts with just about any subject manner imagineable. Elementary kids can listen to stories. How about having your student listening to a podcast of the Large Hadron Collider, the most powerful particle accelerator ever built. Or maybe a podcast that discusses current events? The subject matter is almost endless. Students can listen to podcasts and share what they have learned, come up with a project, write a review, an outline, or maybe just listen for fun!
Students Can Create Podcasts
*Students today are tech-natives. They've grown up in a technological environment and feel comfortable using that technology. Many students would love the opportunity to create a podcast as a project!
Creating podcasts and getting them on the web is easier than you might think. Maybe you want to create podcasts for your students. Maybe you want to get your students involved in making podcasts as a project. Here are some very helpful resources for podcasting that we recommend:
| RESOURCE |
DESCRIPTION |
| http://www.podomatic.com |
A website that lets you record audio for a podcast and get it on the web. No software required. All you need is a microphone! |
| Sound Recorder |
The easiest tool to record audio. Simply go to Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder. As easy to use as a tape recorder. Just save your file when done. You’ll be able to upload it to PodOMatic. |
| Audacity |
Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. The most highly recommended software to create podcasts that are more than just voice recordings. Add intro music, background music, create an echo, fade in, fade out. The possibilities are only limited by your creativity. A simple program to learn. Once sound files are created with Audacity they are easily uploadable to podomatic. You will need THIS file downloaded on any computer with which you will be using Audacity. Download and unzip the file into a location of your choice. |
| Audacity On Line Help |
On line help for Audacity |
| DiscoveryStreaming |
Thousands of audio files and clips. |
| Free Play Music |
Just as the site suggests... Free play music! |
| Sounds & Music Loops |
Outstanding resource for sounds and loops. |
| Podcasts on The Web |
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| Educational Podcast Network |
Educational podcasts in several subject areas. |
| Google Search - Educational Podcasts |
Sites resulting from a search of Educational Podcasts on Google. |
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