LOTEBUSTERS
ICT Session – Podcasting in LOTE
Podcasting in LOTE
What is podcasting?
By Definition a podcast is “the Web-based broadcast of music (and other files) which works with software that automatically detects new files and is accessed by subscription.” Podcasting is a term that has been in existence since 2004, with the etymology coming from the words, iPod + broadcasting.1 . It is important to note that the term podcast can mean both the content and the method of delivery. The host or author of a podcast is often referred to as a "podcaster"2. A podcast is not just an audio file that can be directly downloaded or streamed from a website. What makes a podcast a podcast is the fact that it can be downloaded automatically using software capable of reading RSS feeds. Podcasting is about creating content (audio or video, even documents) for an audience who want to listen or watch an episode when they want it, where they want it, and how they want it3. Podcasting is personal media. It caters to individuals4.
Isn’t an MP3 file a podcast?
An MP3 file is NOT a podcast! The difference between a simple MP3 file and a podcast is similar to the difference between the newspaper that sits in the newsagent (that people have to make a decision to go and buy) and the newspaper that is delivered by the paper boy or girl every morning. An MP3 file is an audio file that can sit on a web page. Potential listeners must first find your web page and then have the choice to listen online or download to listen later. A podcast is the same MP3 file that has had some special code written in with it, code which acts like the paper boy or girl. This code means that programs such as iTunes and iPodder can 'catch' any new MP3s you put online. This way listener’s can discover your audio once and then, every time you release something new, they receive it automatically. Users don’t have to remember to go back to your site5.
What would a podcast include?
Usually a podcast features one type of "show", with new episodes either sporadically or at planned intervals, such as daily or weekly. In addition to this, there are podcast networks that feature multiple shows on the same feed.
1 2
www.dictionary.com Podcast Guide 3 Podcast Guide
5 Learning technologies Scotland
4 http://www.aliciabaylaurel.com/whypodcast
Kelly Beattie, Berwick Secondary College LOTE Centre of Excellence
LOTEBUSTERS
ICT Session – Podcasting in LOTE
A podcast usually has a structure, the format includes: • An introduction and overview of the episode • Cover the topics • Look at feedback • Close However, your podcasts do not need to follow either construction… Do with them what you will!
How would I use podcasting in LOTE?
As a format that uses primarily audio files, podcasting has particular relevance to language classrooms. It can be used • As an authentic listening resource • As a method for students to practice their spoken language, providing an authentic audience • As a medium for remote/distance learning • As an assessment tool
Locating & Listening to Podcasts
In order to get a good understanding of what podcasts are and to locate some authentic listening resources the first thing to do is to locate and subscribe to a language podcast that is already out there. They fall into two main categories; podcasts that teach the language, and podcasts in the language. To subscribe to a podcast you are going to need software to enable you to do this. The simplest software to use is iTunes, which operates on both Mac’s and PC’s. iTunes is available as a free download from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ . Once you have iTunes installed on your computer, open the program and click on the Podcasts link on the menu on the left of the page.
This will open your podcasting window which will display the podcasts that you subscribe to and the episodes you have downloaded.
Kelly Beattie, Berwick Secondary College LOTE Centre of Excellence
LOTEBUSTERS
ICT Session – Podcasting in LOTE
One option for finding podcasts is through the iTunes Podcast Directory. Click on the link at the bottom of the page.
Search through the Education Page for Language Learning Podcasts, or try other areas to find general podcasts in the language that you are teaching. To subscribe you click on the subscribe link within iTunes, and each time you connect to the internet with iTunes open, you’ll download the latest podcast from that feed. Other places to visit to find podcasts include: http://www.podcastingnews.com/forum/links.php where you can search for International or Regional podcasts and, http://www.podlog.co.uk/ If you use this option for searching for a podcast you will need to do some additional work in iTunes to complete the subscription. If I’ve searched for a German language podcast on podlog I’ll end up with a list something like this
In order to subscribe to any of these podcasts I’m going to have to get the RSS Feed address. To do this I need to click on the Info link (in blue) next to the podcast name. On the next page you need to look for the RSS URL icon
Kelly Beattie, Berwick Secondary College LOTE Centre of Excellence
LOTEBUSTERS
ICT Session – Podcasting in LOTE
If you click on this you’ll get another page that opens that will provide you with a web link for the podcast like this.
Copy the link so that you can paste it into iTunes. Back in iTunes on the podcasting page, click on Advanced on the menu and Subscribe to Podcast
A window will open into which you will paste the podcast link. Then click OK. As before, now each time you connect to the Internet and have iTunes open, the latest podcast will be downloaded to your computer.
Kelly Beattie, Berwick Secondary College LOTE Centre of Excellence
LOTEBUSTERS
ICT Session – Podcasting in LOTE
Where do the Podcasts go?
Any podcast that you have downloaded to your computer will now exist as an MP3 file in your My Music folder, within the iTunes folder. You can then place these files onto the school network, onto iPods and other listening devices or onto CD for your students to listen to. Always take copyright into consideration however.
Creating Podcasts
If you want to create Podcasts in your classroom you have two main options. They can be: Teacher Created in order to teach new language or to provide listening practice OR Student Created, to have them practice their written (script) and spoken language, to share their knowledge of language and culture and to be used for assessment. What you need to create a podcast Software • For PC’s– Audacity (a free download from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ ) • For Macs – Garageband (part of the iLife suite of programs on all Macs) Hardware • A computer with a sound card • Microphone & headphone or headset Network • Internet connection Creating Podcasts The best resource available to create podcasts using Audacity can be found online at http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/set/pace/podcast/guide.pdf .
Sounds hard, any other options?
Most people don’t go to the point of uploading their podcast to web space; they just stop at a completed MP3 file Loading listening activities on a student MP3 player will often mean that they will actually listen to it. Have them record themselves and load it onto their MP3 player, get them to critique their own spoken language Use spoken instructions for classroom activities such as treasure hunts on excursions You might not take the “Podcasting” route, but utilising digital audio has value in itself…
Kelly Beattie, Berwick Secondary College LOTE Centre of Excellence
LOTEBUSTERS Some useful resources for Podcasting in LOTE • http://www.tsof.edu.au/resources/podcasting/
ICT Session – Podcasting in LOTE
• http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/mfle/sharingpractice/podcasting/index.asp • http://epnweb.org/index.php?openpod=10#13 • http://www.langwitches.org/projects/index.htm • http://www.intelligenic.com/blog/?page_id=39
Kelly Beattie, Berwick Secondary College LOTE Centre of Excellence