Podcasting

1. Podcasting Saskatoon Catholic Cyber School

2. What is Podcasting? • A podcast is a multimedia file that is distributed by subscription over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. • Like 'radio', it can mean both the content and the method of delivery; the latter may also be termed podcasting. • The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.

3. What is Podcasting? • Though podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital audio formats by its ability to be downloaded automatically using software capable of reading feed formats such as RSS. • RSS means Real Simple Syndication, an internet broadcast method.

4. The History of Podcasting? • The concept of podcasting was suggested as early as 2000 and its technical components were available by 2001, then implemented in the program Radio Userland an internet radio system. • In 2003 regular podcasts started showing up on well-known Web sites and software support spread.

5. The History of Podcasting? • The editors of the New Oxford American Dictionary declared "podcasting" the 2005 word of the year. • Defining the term as "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player". • The name has aroused some controversy for implying one needs an iPod to listen to podcasts, when in fact all portable media players will play them.

6. How Podcasting Works • The publish/subscribe model of podcasting is a version of push technology, in that the information provider chooses which files to offer in a feed and the subscriber chooses among available feed channels. • While the user is not "pulling" individual files from the Web, there is a strong "pull" aspect in that the receiver is free to subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) a vast array of channels.

7. How Podcasting Works • Podcasting is an automatic mechanism whereby multimedia computer files are transferred from a server to a client, which pulls down XML files containing the Internet addresses of the media files. • In general, these files contain audio or video, but also could be images, text, PDF, or any file type.

8. How Podcasting Works • The content provider begins by making a file (for example, an MP3 audio file) available on the Internet. • This is usually done by posting the file on a publicly available webserver. • The only requirement is that the file be accessible through some known URI (a general-purpose Internet address). • This file is often referred to as one episode of a podcast.

9. How Podcasting Works • A consumer uses a type of software known as an aggregator, such as a podcast receiver, to subscribe to and manage their feeds. • A podcast specific aggregator is usually an always-on program which starts when the computer is started and runs in the background. • They work exactly like any newsreader someone would use to manage other web subscriptions. • The downloaded episodes can then be played, replayed, or archived as with any other computer file.

10. Why choose Podcasting? • Podcasting's initial appeal was to allow individuals to distribute their own "radio shows," but the system quickly became used in a wide variety of other ways; • distribution of school lessons, • official and unofficial audio tours of museums, • conference meeting alerts and updates, • police departments to distribute public safety messages.

11. Uses of Podcasting • Podcasting can be used in a number of different ways, including: • A way for people and organizations to avoid regulatory bodies that would not allow a program to be broadcast in traditional media. • A way for news organizations to distribute audio or video as an addition to their existing text (or mostly text) news products. • Education: Podcasting can be categorised as an m-learning strategy for teaching and learning. • These are only a few of the many uses of podcasting

12. How to Podcast • Podcasting can be broken down into four steps: • Plan • Produce • Publish • Promote

13. How to Podcast PLAN YOUR PODCAST (1/2) • You are probably anxious to press record and get your voice on the net. • A little planning will help you stay focused. • In the end you will produce a better podcast that will attract and keep more listeners. • This will also make your job as a podcaster a lot easier.

14. How to Podcast PLAN YOUR PODCAST (2/2) • Here are a few questions for you to consider and help you make some important decisions about: • Podcast Topic • Podcast Format • Choosing a location for your podcast • Plan each episode of your podcast before you record

15. How to Podcast PRODUCE YOUR PODCAST • This is where you will open the mic and start talking (or whatever else you plan on doing in your podcast). • Make sure you have the appropricate podcasting gear and podcasting software.

16. How to Podcast PUBLISH YOUR PODCAST • Once you've created your first podcast, you need to prepare it for publishing and post it to the internet. • Typical steps in publishing: • Create the mp3 file • Podcast hosting • Uploading your podcast • Writing and posting show notes

17. How to Podcast PROMOTE YOUR PODCAST • Of course you'll want more listeners for your podcast. • You want to become a recognized expert and celebrity on the internet now that you have your own show, right? • The most efficient way to promote is to be listed in a podcast directory such as Odeo or iTunes.

18. Examples of Podcasts • Join host Bob McDonald each week to find out the latest in science, technology, medicine and the environment. • We cover every aspect of science, from the quirks of the expanding universe to the quarks within a single atom...and everything in between. Click the Q to start the podcast

19. Examples of Podcasts • NOVA is a popular science television series produced by WGBH Boston. • NOVA is the most-watched science television series in the world. • It is also one of television's most acclaimed series, having won every major television award, most of them many times over. Click the Q to start the podcast

20. Video Podcasts • Video podcast is a term used for the online delivery of video on demand video clip content RSS enclosures. • The term is an evolution specialized for video, coming from the generally audio-based podcast and referring to the distribution of video where the RSS feed is used as a non-linear TV channel to which consumers can subscribe using any computer.

21. Video Podcasts • From a web server, a video podcast can be distributed as a file. • Downloading complete video podcasts in advance gives the user the ability to play the video podcasts offline on, for example, a portable media player (iPod). • Channeling of on-demand content has major benefits for both publishers and subscribers. • Publishers can still bundle content for their audience. Subscribers can consume content on-demand.

22. Examples of Video Podcasts • The video podcast, Woven Shadows, is a series of digital photography tutorials. • They are short, to-the point,a nd cover one principle at a time. • The video tutorials are hosted by Jerry Hyman, who is a professional photographer. Click on screen to start video podcast

23. Examples of Video Podcasts • The only Mac show you’ll ever need. • Experts talk about everything Mac, including hardware, software, pro apps, and tips • Every show includes interviews with the most interesting people in the Mac universe.

24. Resources • www.wikipedia.org • www.apple.com • www.odeo.com

25. Thank-you Norm Lepage B. Ed M. Ed