podcasting
Focus on Teaching
August 16, 2007
Jack Corliss
Academic Technology Services
What is podcasting
• Etiology -- iPod
• Unlike the pods that kept Kevin McCarthy
busy?
• Digital audio player – download music from
computer directly to player for later listening
• Usually associated with audio files
Podcasting = Music Downloads?
• How are they similar?
• Audio files are MP3 files, generally
• Downloading takes place but . . . different
from P2P downloading, e.g., early Napster
• Different from web-based streaming media
• Content is “pushed” and transmitted through
the Web.
So what’s really different
• Publishing mechanism
• “pushing” out the content
• Is podcasting a new concept in delivery of
content? Yes? No?
• An analogy from an earlier day?
• How about an analogy from a more recent
day?
So podcasting has . . .
• Notion of subscribing –
• Plug in your device and get new content
• What if there is no new content?
• Answer?
So what is RSS
• Real Simple Stuff? Close!
– Rich Site Summary -> Really Simple Syndication
– RDF Site Summary (Resource Description Framework)
• There is the element of syndication
• Helps with delivery of web-based content such as
podcasts
• Wraps the content up with an URL so it can be
delivered through the Web.
• XML (Extensible Markup Language) is an important
component of RSS
Who is doing podcasting
• Professional broadcasters
• Amateurs, sharing content and opinions
• Campuses starting to make content available
as podcasts
– http://webcast.berkeley.edu
• Remember the element of “subscribing”
How does podcasting work?
• Connect digital players (MP3 players, iPods)
to computer
• Log onto podcasting subscription service
• Subscribe to site’s feeds
• Audio content is “pushed” directly to the
digital player
Do I need an iPod or MP3 player?
• Actually no!
• But then computers, even laptop computers,
are still heavy to carry around.
• But it is good to know that you can listen to
podcast on your computer.
Aggregators
• How is an aggregator like an alligator?
• But aggregators are still important
• They help get, categorize, store and push the
content.
• They are not just for podcasting …
Aggregators
• Programs that you can install
– iTunes
• http://www.apple.com/itunes
• Web services that you can access
– Firefox 2
– Google Reader
• http://reader.google.com
Let’s do iTunes
Let’s look at Google Reader
Differences
• iTunes – better and more polished in many
respects – but how the library works is a
critical distinction
• Google Reader – clunky for some – but library
is accessible from anywhere.
Downsides of podcasting
• Bandwidth? Perhaps but . . .
• Primarily an audio delivery technology
• Not designed for two-way interaction or
audience participation but you know . . .
• Not every podcaster has the “radio” voice
• Training may be needed to use an audio-only
medium and the technology for producing
podcasts
Where is podcasting going?
• More than simple audio files – enhanced
podcasting
• Other content, e.g., text, images and video
Implications for Teaching and Learning
• What are some?
Implications for Learning and Teaching
• Students as “publishers”
Podcasting @ LUC
• Some groups checking it out
– Technology Insights
• Joint venture: Academic Technology Services and
Learning Technologies and Assessment (LTA)
• http://www.luc.edu/media/podcast
– Student government
– Mosaic – social justice in Chicago
• http://www.luc.edu/orgs/mosaic2006
Podcasting @ LUC
• ITS workgroup, e.g., infrastructure
• School of Social Work has created some with
plans to distribute
Podcasting @ LUC
• Blackboard – not directly – there is a Building
Block available
• Wimba Live Classroom – Version 5.0 but we
need to check this out.
Some resources
• 7 things you should know about… Podcasting,
EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative
– http://www.luc.edu/eli
– Check out other items, e.g., Twitter
• Podcasts – ITS TechTip
– http://www.luc.edu/its/pdfs/Ttips-2007-01-05_Podcasting_techtip.pdf
Digital Media Resources @ Loyola
• Digital Media Room (DMR), Granada Center 292,
Lake Shore Campus
– http://www.luc.edu/its/DMR.shtml
– Provides students and faculty access to audio/video
production equipment and software.
– training@luc.edu to schedule an appointment or
check out equipment
Thank you!
Jack Corliss
Academic Technology Services
jcorlis@luc.edu