Home About LEARN Services and publications Contact us Help Site map Français
Learn Logo

Podcasting / Balado

        
Definition:
learn_defin
 A podcast is a pre-recorded audio or video series that can be subscribed to on the web or through a podcatcher such as iTunes. It can be listened to on a computer or portable device.
Many use the term podcast for a single  file, but a single file would just be an audio or video production.

From Wikipedia:

Podcasting is the distribution of audio or video files, such as radio programs or music videos, over the Internet using either RSS or Atom syndication for listening on mobile devices and personal computers.

Additional terms to know:

RSS

Really Simple Syndication
It is the ability to sydicate podcasts that makes a podcast different from just putting an audio file on the Internet. By making your podcasts available through a podcatcher such as iTunes or Podcast Alley, interested listeners can automatically receive the latest episodes of your podcast as they become available.

mp3 .mov .m4a .mp4

These are different formats for audio or video files.

Enhanced podcast

This is a podcast with still images added. These can be viewed with iTunes.

Video podcast or vodcast

vodcast (video on demand) is a podcast that includes video. Unlike a regular movie file on the web, this can be syndicated just like a regular podcast.
Blog

 

Most podcasts are uploaded to blogs. The podcaster includes shownotes (an outline of the podcast, links to any outside sites mentioned in the podcast, and, in some blogs, photographs that relate to the podcast)

Tools:
learn_usethis
podimage
Photo by Derek K. Miller licensed under a CC license

Computer or mobile device
Microphone (built in mic will work, but you will get better results with a USB microphone such as a snowflake or snowball microphone).
Recording / Editing software  (more information)
How to:
learn_skill
 Listen to podcasts
Create a podcast

Great How to by Tony Vincent
http://learninginhand.com/creating-podcasts/
Podcasting for Teachers and Students: Free downloadable booklet from Tony Vincent
http://learninginhand.com/podcasting-booklet/
Podcasting in Education
This site was put together by an Ontario teacher. It is an excellent resource, gives a rationale for podcasting as well as podcasting ideas. There are short podcasts embedded in the site to help you learn. Slightly out of date - but full of excellent information http://chatt.hdsb.ca/~elses/boylit/Podcasting%20in%20Education
Pedagogical uses:
learn_idea		 Students can create podcasts for any discipline. Here are some ideas
Teachers can create podcasts of information they want students to have
Read how one teacher archived lectures which he assigns to students. Class time can then be used for workshops.
http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2008/08/ahs-chemistry-podcasts.html
Collaboration in the community:
collab3		  Podcasts can be made about anything.
  • Administrators can use podcasts to keep the community informed about school events. Tim Tyson, a retired administrator, interviewed students (new to the school, an avid reader, a film festival creator...).
  • Classes can podcast a summary of the week
  • Create a series of podcasts about the community
  • Students can create a series of podcasts to teach community members a skill
Safety and Legal Issues: Podcasting Legal Guide for Canada
Kathleen Simmons and Andy Kaplan-Myrth, proponents of Creative Commons have written a guide for use of materials according to Canadian law.
http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/2066/125/



















< Back to Tools >   < Back to Glossary >