Podcast

Lois Jose
Contents

• History
• What is podcasting
• Vodcasting
• How podcasting works
• Benefits of podcasting
• How to podcast
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
Introduction
• Podcasting combines the freedom of blogging with the technology of mp3s.
• Just as blogging has enabled almost anyone with a computer to become a bona
fide reporter, podcasting allows virtually anyone with a computer to become a
radio disc jockey, talk show host or recording artist.
• Podcasting is a free service that allows Internet users to pull audio files
(typically MP3s) from a podcasting Web site to listen to on their computers or
personal digital audio players.
 History
• Podcasting was developed in 2004 by former MTV video jockey Adam Curry and
software developer Dave Winer. Curry wrote a program, called iPodder, that enabled
him to automatically download Internet radio broadcasts to his iPod. Several
developers improved upon his idea, and podcasting was officially born. Curry now hosts
a show called The Daily Source Code, one of the most popular podcasts on the
Internet.
• Right now, podcasting is free from government regulation. Podcasters don't need to
buy a license to broadcast their programming, as radio stations do, and they don't need
to conform to the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) broadcast decency
regulations. That means anything goes -- from four-letter words to sexually explicit
content. Copyright law does apply to podcasting, though. Podcasters can copyright or
license their work -- Creative Commons is just one online resource for copyrights and
licenses.
 History
• Although several corporations and big broadcast companies have ventured into the
medium, many podcasters are amateurs broadcasting from home studios. Because
podcasters don't rely on ratings as radio broadcasters do, the subject matter of
podcasts can range from the refined to the silly to the excruciatingly mundane.
Podcasters typically cater to a niche group of listeners. By podcasting consistently
on one subject, podcasters not only assert their expertise on the subject matter but
also draw a loyal and devoted group of listeners.
• Consider two popular podcasts: Keith and The Girl is a say-anything-about-
anything podcast run by Keith and his girlfriend, Chemda. The podcast's official
website touts its expressive (and explicit) freedom, proudly proclaiming "Not held
back by the FCC or anyone else." On the other end of the spectrum is A Mysterious
Universe, a podcast devoted to examination of the paranormal, UFOs and
cryptozoology.
 History
• Podcasts are also used for informational and educational purposes -- self-guided
walking tours, talk shows and training are all available through podcasting,
according to Podcasting Tools.
• Several companies are trying to turn podcasting into a profitable business.
Podcasting aggregators such as [Link] and [Link] now feature
advertisements.
• The Podcast Network, based in Australia, runs commercials and sponsorships
during its audio broadcasts. Television networks have gotten into the action, too.
National Public Radio, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the BBC have
begun podcasting some of their shows. Corporations such as Heineken and General
Motors have created their own podcasts to attract consumers.
Podcast – Definition & Etymology
• Podcasting is a way of distributing audio files via the Internet. A podcast is an audio
file that can be downloaded from the Internet, often in MP3 format. Once a podcast
has been downloaded, it can be listened to on a computer, or be transferred to a
portable device such as an iPod or other Portable Media Player (PMP), a mobile
phone, or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

• "Podcast" is a portmanteau, a combination of "iPod" and "broadcast".

• Despite the etymology, the content can be accessed using any computer or similar device that
can play media files.
• Other names for podcasting include "net cast", intended as a vendor-neutral term without the
loose reference to the Apple iPod.
Podcast Vs Internet Radio
• Unlike Internet radio, users don't have to 'tune in' to a particular broadcast.
Instead, they download the podcast on demand or subscribe via an RSS (Really
Simple Syndication) feed, which automatically downloads the podcast to their
computers.
• The technology is similar to that used by TiVo, a personal video recorder that
lets users set which programs they'd like to record and then automatically
records those programs for later viewing.
• Podcasting is free from government regulation. Podcasters don't need to buy a
license to broadcast their programming, as radio stations do, and they don't need
to conform to the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) broadcast
decency regulations.
• The subject matter of podcasts can range from the refined to the silly to the
excruciatingly mundane
 Features of Podcast
• 1 – Flexible delivery
• Because podcasts are normally downloaded and can be copied onto portable
devices like iPods and mobile phones. One can listen to them anywhere at
anytime, without requiring being connected to the Internet. This offers
enormous potential for flexible delivery of learning resources.
• 2 – Use of Audio as an educational medium
• The advent of podcasting places a new emphasis on the use of audio resources
in learning and teaching. Audio has often been seen as a "poor relation" to
video and other forms of multimedia, and perhaps the greatest challenge in the
use of podcasting in education is to find ways in which audio materials can be
most effectively used in pedagogical terms.
• 3 – Podcasting is easy and cheap.
• Podcasts are very simple to create, and can be produced using the freely
available Audacity software, and very inexpensive hardware such as a cheap
"Skype" type headset that costs less then £5.
TYPES OF PODCAST
1. Audio only podcast
• Audio only, plays on any mp3 player.
• mp3 files + a RSS xml file
• e.g. fondren library: [Link]
• ESL: [Link]
([Link]
2. Enhanced podcast
• Enhanced Podcasts are a variant of standard podcasts, and these can include
images, text and other media, as well as audio. Enhanced podcasts can be
divided into sections (or chapterised), often using images to indicate the
beginning and/or end of each section. This can allow quick navigation between
these sections. Enhanced podcasts may also contain embedded web links,
enabling you to access specific web resources when listening to them in iTunes.
• Audio + images, like a slide show, plays on computer and later version of iPods.
• m4a files + a RSS xml file
• e.g. Naked Scientist Podcast [Link]
TYPES OF PODCAST
3. Video podcast
• Video podcasting is in principle identical to podcasting, although in this case the content is
video based rather than audio. As with audio podcasts, the video is downloaded rather
than streamed.
• Unlike audio podcasts, which can be played on a wide variety of generic MP3 players,
video podcasts can only be viewed on a computer with the appropriate media player
software, such as iTunes or Windows Media Player, or higher end Digital Media Players.
Video Podcasting is also sometimes referred to as videocasting, or vodcasting.
• Audio + video, plays on computer and iPod with video
• m4v or mp4 files + a RSS xml file
• e.g. Real Nebraska. [Link]
4. Combined podcast
• (media files are mix of mp3 and m4v/mp4 files)
• Rice IT [Link]
Steps in producing, delivering and receiving
podcasts
The process of producing, delivering and receiving a podcast can be broken
down into five steps, as follows:
• Producing and delivering ....
• 1 - Plan your podcast
• Decide what the aims and objectives of your podcast are - what are you trying to say?
• Use the "Planning Your Podcast" document on the right hand side for a list of things
to consider.
• 2 - Record and edit your material
• Material can be recorded directly onto your computer, or using a portable recording
device.
• Audio from either can be edited using the freely available Audacity
• You will need a microphone and speakers, or a headset if recording on your computer.
• 3 - Publish material to the web
• Upload your podcasts to the podcasting site
• This will automatically produce an RSS feed for your podcasts
Steps in producing, delivering and receiving
podcasts
The process of producing, delivering and receiving a podcast can be
broken down into five steps, as follows:
• Receiving
• 4 - Subscribe to and/or download podcasts
• Use podcatching software such as iTunes or Juice to subscribe to and download
podcasts.....
• .... Or download individual podcasts from the links provided
• 5 - Listen to or sync to mobile device
• Once downloaded, you can listen to or watch your podcast using Windows Media
Player or iTunes
• Your podcasts can be transferred to your mobile device using the appropriate
software, e.g. iTunes if you are using an iPod
• Enhanced Podcasts or certain type of video podcasts may only be playable using
iTunes or certain iPods
Podcasting Software

• FeedForAll - Create, edit and publish podcasts.

• AudioBlogger - Use any phone to automatically post audio to
your blog.
• Replay Radio - Turn radio broadcasts into podcasts.
Advantages of Podcasting
• Convenience
• Since iPods can play back Podcasts, files can be viewed or listened to anytime, anywhere.
You do not have to be glued to a computer in order to review the files.
• Podcasting can be valuable to students or employees who want follow up on information
or refreshers in order to fully understand lessons or work ideas.
• Audio files and videos can be aids and supplements for studying and working.
• These files can be quickly and inexpensively created and uploaded to any website.
Therefore, lectures and presentations can easily be accessed regardless of time and
location, offering flexible learning options for students and employees.
• Easy Reach
• With a podcast, one can easily reach to students or employees, any time.
• More importantly, the information that is sent can be conveniently accessed.
• No more FAQs that need to be updated.
• Podcasts do not have expiration dates and they can be permanently archived.
Disadvantages of Podcasting
• Accessibility issues
• Materials, such as transcripts, must consist of audio or video files in order to be fully accessible.
This, as well as editing and uploading high-quality files, can be time-consuming.
• Large files will require broadband connection, which makes them difficult for those users who only
have slow, dial-up connections. Those who are creating podcasts also need to make sure that the
file format used will be compatible to all MP3 players and not iPods alone.
• Productivity Issues
• Allowing iPods at work or in school can encourage employees and students to work less.
• IPods in the office or classroom can be a source of distraction. Students and employees can be
tempted to watch movies, listen to music or other audio files rather than work.
• They can be sidetracked by the endless media possibilities that an iPod can provide. This could
mean less than average performance and less productivity.
• Limiting Your Audience
• Not everyone owns a mobile device. Podcasting may just divide the market and alienate those who
cannot have access to it.
• Some people are also just not interested in having to download files from the Web in order to have
access to them, and some will prefer reading instead of listening to an audio file.
Disadvantages of Podcasting
• Time Consuming
• Podcasting can be used by professors as a means to provide or receive
information from students. However, a disadvantage to this form of data is
that the Web is such a vast and very public space where anyone from
anywhere can publish files. Therefore, instructors and teachers have to spend
time checking if the files and data published are verified. It can be very time
consuming especially for larger files. It is also estimated that it takes 45
minutes to produce an 8 minute show.
• Not Searchable
• Podcasts are not always easily searchable. Although there are several search
engines you can use, it is impossible to directly search within the audio file
itself. This could be a huge disadvantage for many individuals, especially those
who prefer to gather their data by quickly scanning through the texts.
Podcast Out line

• Opening : A quick music jingle

• Introduction: A monologue style introduction about the podcast and what you intend to talk
about on your show.
• Interlude: could be musical or a sound effect.
• Topic 1: Talk for about 3 minutes
• Interlude: “We are going to move on and talk about”
• Topic 2: Talk for about 3 minutes
• Interlude: Musical or a sound effect.
• Topic 3: Talk for about 3 minutes
• Closing remarks, thank the audience, guests, what will be on the next show
• Closing musical jingle
 Podcast – Script
11 potential elements of a podcast opening
1. Podcast name—how else will people know what podcast they're listening to?
2. Episode number—gives chronology and easy redirecting.
3. Episode title—if your title explains the content of your episode, which I recommend (unless you're doing comedy), then
include it in your recording.
4. Music or sound effects—use something that other podcasters aren't using (so avoid GarageBand's music). This helps
brand your show.
5. Hosts' names—listeners should know who you are. I suggest introducing yourself as “I am ___” rather than “My name is
___.”
6. Podcast tagline/explanation—don't assume every listener knows what your podcast is all about. Explain the purpose of
the podcast or its tagline, which should be a shortened version of your purpose.
7. Summary/introduction—tell your audience what you're going to talk about, if appropriate.
8. Network ID—if you're a member of a network, you are probably required to state this in some way.
9. Recorded date—I suggest mentioning the recorded date only if your content is time-sensitive or current-events related
(like a news podcast).
[Link]—the people who help you pay the bills, or your own product or service.
[Link]—if your content is for a mature audience, you want to share a spoiler-free or spoiler-filled review of a movie,
or other reasons mandate putting a disclaimer as early as possible.

• Of these eleven potential elements, I would say that only the first six or seven should be in your opening for every
episode.
Listen to this
[Link]
episode-list