Podcast



**__ OVERVIEW __**
Podcasting is a relatively new means for internet users everywhere to distribute and access information. Originally the idea of Adam Curry, a former MTV VJ who has now been dubbed “The Podfather,” and friend David Winer, the term “podcast” was originally a portmanteau of the words iPod and broadcast. However, after Apple Computer began to heavily police the term “pod” by other companies, a backronym was created where podcast stood for __ p __ ersonal __ o __ n __ d __ emand broad __ cast __. Podcasts can be either audio or video digital media files. These files are easily created by anyone, using simply a microphone, video camera, computer and internet connection. Podcast creators will also need to download a basic podcasting application—most of which are free. After a podcast is created, it is available to anyone online. These podcasts are typically free for listeners. Once the podcast is downloaded, it is stored on the computer as an mp3. It can then be played on the computer or portable mp3 player, or burned to a CD. Contrary to the implications of the term “podcast,” users do not need to own an Apple iPod in order to access podcasts. These programs will work on nearly any personal mp3 player. What makes a podcast unique from other online media files is the fact that they can be subscribed to. Once a listener finds a podcast he likes he can subscribe to it simply by clicking a button on the page. From then on out, whenever this podcaster posts a new podcast, it is automatically sent to the subscriber’s computer. These podcasts will be downloaded whether the subscriber is at their computer, asleep, in class or at work. Subscribers do not need to remember to record their programs, or track them down online after they have been aired. All that is needed to subscribe to a podcast is a “podcast catcher” also known as a podcast aggregator, such as iTunes. Again, these programs are typically free to users. It is important to note that it is not necessary for users to subscribe to the program in order to listen, although it is typically more convenient. Besides the convenience of downloading, there are other aspects of podcasts that make them extremely popular with users. As mentioned before, podcasts can be created by anyone. This means that virtually any interest a person may have can now be shared with the world. Subjects can be based on anything—academic or personal. Podcasts are also unique in the fact that they are not currently monitored by a regulatory agency such as the FCC. This allows the podcaster to express himself in anyway he prefers. In a classroom, this could be an interesting tool for allowing your students to hear the perspectives of people from all over the world. This allows students to hear or watch real people talk about their experiences, rather than reading them from a text book. Another appealing aspect of the podcast is the fact that it is easily portable. Since podcasts can be downloaded to portable mp3 players, they can be listened to at practically anytime. This is convenient for users who do not have time to sit down and watch or listen to an entire program. Users are also in control of when and how they listen. Listeners can pause, fast forward or rewind programs. This allows students who need extra focus on a certain subject to repeat the lesson as many times as needed. Also, in contrast to typical broadcasts which disappear into thin air after being sent out, podcasts are available to users whenever it is most convenient to them. This is beneficial to students who lead a busy schedule, since they can now take the lesson with them, and learn on the go. As podcasts continue to gain popularity, more and more information is becoming available online. Even a growing number of radio stations and newspapers are taking to podcasts in order to best distribute their news. This rising technology continues to provide limitless amounts of resources to listeners everywhere, eliminating both distance and time as barricades in accessing information.

__**FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS:**__ Podcasts can be very useful to both teachers and students in an educational setting. The following are just some of the features of podcasts which can benefit a classroom:


 * **Technology: ** ||
 * **# ** || **Feature/Function **  || **Description/Purpose **  ||
 * **1 ** || Internet Accessible || Students who weren’t in class have access to the class discussion from home. ||
 * **2 ** || Audio/Video Compatible || Students have the opportunity to listen or, with some podcasts, watch an entire lesson. ||
 * **3 ** || Fast Forward/Rewind/Pause || Students can review material they need a second look at, or skip over things they already know. ||

__ **ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTION** __
**Activity 1 Overview:** Students will create a podcast, acting as a reporter covering an event in the book they are reading. They will conduct "interviews" and cover important information about the book. **Target Audience:** Students

**Supplies and Materials:** Camera, computer, costumes for characters
 * Goals/Objectives of Activity:** Students will learn to summarize important events in their books, identify important characters and present them to the class in a way that is interesting and effective.


 * Activity 2 Overview: ** Teacher can record the class reading their book aloud and the class discussion on the book. The teacher can then post the class recording on the class website for students who are sick as well as for students who would like to be able to come back to the material. Also on the class website could be a place to post additional responses to the class podcast for extra credit.

**Target Audience:** Teacher

**Goals/Objectives of Activity:** Engage the students in more in depth discussion on the text, give the students extra help. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">**Supplies and Materials:** Recorder [camera or voice], computer

**Activity 3 Overview:** First, the teacher shows her students the following informative podcast > [|http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a76629c40069e46136a6&page=1&viewtype=&category=]. Students are asked to each create a podcast, in any form they wish (animation, real-life, etc), detailing one key literary concept that they are assigned (theme, plot, setting, etc.) They must use examples they find in adolescent literature to support the concepts. The students will be put into groups of four and given two weeks of classroom time to complete the project. The teacher will evaluate each project based on creativity, demonstrated understanding of the concept, use of time, literary examples. etc.  Target Audience:   **   fellow classmates and teacher


 * Goals/Objectives of Activity:  **   Allow student show off their knowledge of literary concepts through a new medium, the podcast.


 * Supplies and Materials:  **   Computer with appropriate software, video camera (depends on the type of project, each group chooses)


 * Activity 4 Overview: ** Students are asked to organize a podcast "poetry reading". First, students will record each other reading their creative writing samples from assignments throughout the year. Then, groups of students will organize wiki pages on which they embed their podcasts of poetry or creative writing on the page via Realplayer, Quicktime, or Windows Media Player. Then, students will be responsible for publicizing, at least to family and friends, the page's existence and the content on the page**.

Target Audience:** family, friends, the community at large


 * Goals/objectives:** To show parents and the community what students are doing in schools through the most ubiquitous medium: the internet. It will also give students insight into how writers go on to distribute their work into the community after the act of writing.


 * Supplies and materials:** computer with Audacity & either Quicktime, Realplayer or WMA; microphone/voice recorder, headphones.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ExkMeQfuLGc&feature=related
====This video does a great job of explaining what podcasting is, without going into so much detail that we become bored listening. The speaker, Colette Cassinelli, is a self described technology evangelist. She explains why using podcasting in the classroom can be helpful to both the educator and the students. She also gives several examples of how podcasting can be used in various classrooms for different subjects.==== ====[|//http://www.podcastforteachers.org/Who%27sUsingPodcastingInEducationAndHow.htm////] This site has a examples of who is using podcasting in educational settings. It has lists of podcasts being used as well as blogs and articles about podcasting being used in education. It shows podcasting used for all ages. -- Tracie Luttrell====

**How do I make my own podcast?**
====//http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/sites/sites074.shtml This site is a tool for educators to help them learn about podcasting and how to create their own podcast. It gives links to other websites that can also add in the creation of your own podcast.//====

http://recap.ltd.uk/podcasting/index.php
====//This site has compiled over 450 podcast channels for educational use. The site is directed toward teachers, parents and caretakers to provide resources for their students. This is a great site because it had so many resources in one spot, which saves educators and students from searching all over the web for different lessons.//====