podcast

A Podcast, according to Wikipedia is: a series of [|digital media] [|files] (either [|audio] or [|video]) that are released episodically and often [|downloaded] through [|web syndication]. The word usurped [|webcast] in common vernacular, due to rising popularity of the [|iPod] and the innovation of [|web feeds]. In real terms, a podcast is like a radio show (or tv show) on your computer. So if you have ever wanted to be a radio star, now here is your chance! You can find podcasts on just about any topic on iTunes (which you will need to download to your computer if you do not have it downloaded already). And don’t worry, you do not need an iPod to listen to a podcast, you can listen/watch (many podcasts are now using video) on your computer! Here is another In Plain English video to help you understand what a podcast is. media type="youtube" key="vMgemQahuFM" height="385" width="480"

Check out some podcasts. Try and check out a few educational podcasts, but also check out a podcast or two on subjects you are interested in. My favorite podcast, that I listen to every week, is Manic Mommies. To find podcasts, go to iTunes and search for what you are looking for. You can start off searching generally ie: “education” or start off searching more specifically “kindergarten”. Also, you can search Google for podcasts (sometimes I find that iTunes is hard to search on). If searching on Google, make sure to put the word podcast in your search.
 * __ Assignment 6A __**

Podcasts from the Jordan school district: @http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/t4/content/category/6/68/58/
 * Here are a few links to get you started:**

Podcasts from Bob Sprankle – check out his Room 208 podcasts (at the bottom of the page) these are AWESOME! @http://www.bobsprankle.com/bobsprankle/page8/page8.html

Readers Theater podcast (by me!) notice I put this up on my Teacher Web blog page!!! @http://teacherweb.com/Blog/GA/RockSpringsElementary/RockSpringsMediaCenter/1/blog.aspx?Post=c3b6978f-5c27-40ec-a082-5f861ff7bd97 Math Dude: quick and dirty tips to make math easier Reading Rockets: Meet the Author Storynory: stories for kids HELP: Using iTunes Write a blog post on how you think you could use podcasts in education and comments about a podcast you listened to.
 * Search for on iTunes:**

Create a bare bones podcast (just so you can get your feet wet!) Your podcast can be about anything (as long as it is school appropriate!) Sing a song, tell a joke, give us a book review - get creative! Here are the steps, with instructions and help resources: If you chose MP3 Encoder: Higher Quality: Choose if you chose MP3 Encoder and plan to create your own audio CDs or listen to your music with high-quality stereo speakers. High Quality: Choose if you play music in a noisy environment. This setting creates files that are about 1 MB in size per minute of music. Good Quality: Use to fit more songs on a portable MP3 player with limited storage capacity. Custom: Choose for greater control over the file size and sound quality. || ( ** NOTE: ** You DO NOT need to create your own Podbean account. We will use a shared course account to host all of our podcast episodes. ** I have sent the log-in info to your Gmail account ** ). Write a brief blog post sharing your podcasting experience. ||
 * __ Assignment 6B __**
 * ** Step 1: ** Record a basic audio file (WAV format) using Windows Sound Recorder.
 * On any Windows machine, go to: **Start >** **(All) Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder**. Using Sound Recorder, you can easily record and save a WAV file to your desktop. (If you are working on a Mac, record your audio using GarageBand, export it as an MP3, and go to Step 3).
 * ** ‡ HELP Video: ** Recording in Windows Sound Recorder ||
 * ** Step 2: ** Convert your audio file to MP3 format using iTunes.
 * Open iTunes. Select **File > Add file to library**. Browse for your saved audio file and double-click it to add it to iTunes. In iTunes, **click once to select** the file (it will turn blue). Go to **Advanced > Convert to MP3**. When the converted file appears, right-click it and select **Copy**. Close iTunes. Right click an empty area of your desktop and select **Paste**. The file should appear on your desktop.
 * ** ‡ HELP Video: ** [|iTunes MP3 conversion]
 * Do this first in iTunes so that you can convert to MP3**
 * To choose import options:**
 * 1) Choose Edit > Preferences, click General, and click Import Settings.
 * 2) Choose an encoder from the Import Using pop-up menu.
 * You can listen to songs encoded in AAC or Apple Lossless formats in iTunes and on iPod models that come with a dock connector. If you plan to listen to your music using a different program or MP3 player, choose MP3 Encoder.
 * If you want to burn high-quality audio CDs with the songs you're importing, without losing quality, choose Apple Lossless or AIFF. (Keep in mind that songs imported using this format use much more disc space.)
 * If you'll be playing your songs on a computer that does not have MP3 software, choose WAV.
 * 1) Choose a bit rate from the Setting pop-up menu (not available with Apple Lossless Encoder). In most cases, the default selection works well.
 * ** Step 3 ** - Upload your MP3 file to Podbean to create a podcast. (//I have sent the username and password to your Gmail account//).
 * ** ‡ HELP Page: ** Publish a Podcast Episode using Podbean