Podcasting and Education Darlynda Miktuk Erie 1 BOCES

Workshop Questions What is a podcast? Where can you find podcasts? How can we use podcasts in education? What can be used to make a podcast?

What is a podcast? pod + broadcast = podcast Audio files –mp3 - MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, compressed, most common –wav - waveform, Microsoft format –aac - advanced audio coding, compressed

Types of Podcasts - Page 1 Basic Podcasts –formatted audio files, typically MP3 or AAC Enhanced Podcasts –podcasts where pictures are added

Types of Podcasts Page 2 Video Podcast also called a Vodcast or Vidcast. –This is in a video format –Formats include.mov,.wmv,.mp4,.mpg, and sometimes.ram

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Feeds XML language - extensible markup language, provides a way to combine text with extra information about it Makes it possible for people to keep up with frequently updated material

Podcast Producer Creates audio content Adds things such as music, images, or video Compresses into mp3 Updates RSS feed

Podcast Consumer Uses a podcatcher or aggregator to query for and return new podcasts to web server May find podcasts manually or automatically Most popular aggregator - iTunes

Does one need an iPod? NO! It is NOT essential with listening to or creating a podcast. Need computer to query RSS feeds iPod (or mp3 player) allows for mobility

Podcast vs. Radio Both deliver audio content 3 differences –Flexibility: must be there when radio played –Choice: radio limited to where one lives –Participation: radio - closed club, most of us not on radio unless call in

Podcast - Flexibility Time shift - download and listen to when one wants to Skip over parts Play again and again

Podcast - Choices Thousands of choices As diverse as Internet Caution due to so many choices - school AUP? Find own niche or curriculum use

Resources for finding Podcasts Look in iTunes Store Search on Internet using search engine such as Google

Education Uses for Podcasts Recorded Lectures, Class Discussions, Verbal Feedback Field Recording Guest Speakers such as Book Discussion with Author Audio Books Differentiated Instruction-Enhanced Support for Individual Learning Preferences and Needs Asynchronous/Just-In-Time Learning Frequently Asked Questions Homework Tips

Education Uses for Podcasts Current Events for Social Studies, etc. How-To Distance Learning Self-Paced Learning Remediation of Struggling Learners Extra Content for Advanced Learners Multilingual Education Bridging the Cultural/Generational Gap Student/Teacher Creativity Assist Auditory Learners

Education Uses for Podcasts ESL Record Feedback for Student Presentations Self Evaluation of Lecture Content Portable Access to Content… Speeches, Songs, Foreign Language Study Support Tool – Repeated Listening Reduced Dependence on Physical Materials and Computer Lab and Library Hours Greater Students Engagement and Interest