podcasting

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