The Nuts and Bolts of Podcasting Anne C. Lemieux, MLIS Lugoff-Elgin Middle School lms.kcsdschools.com lemieuxa@kcsd.k12.sc.us Document is available online @ http://www.kershaw.k12.sc.us/help/
What is podcasting?
A podcast is like a radio program on the internet, but it is different from radio in several ways: Anybody, not just pros, can create podcasts and place them on the internet. Listeners are able to listen to podcasts whenever they want to, not just when they are broadcast. Podcasts are like magazine subscriptions too. Listeners can subscribe to podcasts and have new programs delivered to their computers. The biggest difference is that podcasts can be stored on small MP3 player that listeners can carry anywhere they go. The word “podcasting” is a combination of “ipod” and “broadcasting”, however you do not need an ipod. There are many MP3 players on the market and your computer is a big MP3 player. More information on podcasting can be found at: The history of podcasting at Wikipedia: Podcasting for K-12 librarians: A few examples of podcasts created at LEMS LEMS PODCASTS Samples of my blog with other multimedia projects: LEMS Media Center Blog
Essentials items needed for creating podcasts:
1. Recording Software Audacity 1.2.6
LAME MP3 Encoder This is a file you will have to unzip and extract file you need is lame_enc.dll 2. Microphone—prices vary and/or voice recorder such as Creative MuVo 100 by Creative Labs 40.00 3. Music: Licensed or copyright free music Soundzabound -- Royalty Free Music Library for Schools Royalty Free Music GMP music—Royalty Free Production Music If you download the music from the site as an MP3 you will not need to convert If you have CD’s that you have purchased already you will need a converter to convert your CD to MP3. Other sources of FREE music: Podsafe Audio Podsafe Music ****Make sure that you check for appropriateness!!!*** 4. Converter: (Only need if you have CD’s to convert to MP3 format Switch Plus-- $19.40 trial available is available Smart Audio-- $19.90--free version will only convert 60% of the source file.
Creating your podcast in Audacity:
Attach Microphone and press the red button to start recording:
Press the yellow square button when done recording. To start over just press the X on the audio track and re-record. Adding music is as simple as dragging and dropping your MP3 file into Audacity.
The “time shift tool” may be used to shift vocal and music tracks:
Listen to the podcast by pressing the green play button and adjust as needed before “exporting as an MP3 file.” When exporting for the first time Audacity will need to be pointed to the LAME MP3 encoder that was downloaded with audacity. Instructions for Audacity can be found on the following website Audacity Tutorials and Wiki and in the programs help menu.
Posting your podcast to the internet for FREE:
Edublogs my new favorite Podbean-very easy to use and you can post audio/video files. You can upgrade for a small fee. Podomatic—upload your own files
Posting to eChalk:(This is not a true podcast eChalk does not provide an RSS Feed)
“Hosting” files is the best way to post on eChalk it will automatically open in quicktime or WMP: To Host Sign in Click Manage site Click Resources Click Hosting tab Select Add button Browse for file Upload Site Manger: If a teacher would like to post on their class page, just check the podcast in the hosting section of eChalk and add link, copy the link and email to the teacher they can then post the link on their class page and it will open the podcast. I am told that RSS feed is coming to Echalk in the near future.