Podcasting

= = = =  **PODCASTS** = =

What is a podcast?
A podcast is simply a downloadable audio file or video file. Some podcasts allow you to subscribe, which means that any new episodes are automatically downloaded to your computer and can then be put onto a portable media player. Video podcasts are sometimes called 'vodcasts' or 'vidcasts'. Watch this 3-minute movie: [|Podcasting in Plain English].

Here's a good example, a 6 minute podcast interview with Monica Sketcher, a Prep/1 teacher who has her students and parents using wikis!

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 *  Subscribe to podcasts created by others and use them as digital learning resources, either as a whole-class acivity or direct students to access the podcast individually.
 * Create a podcast to advertise school events, news or information
 * Create a podcast to present your lesson content, to enable your students to:
 * //listen to (or watch) the lesson at their own pace - they can pause, rewind and fast-forward as required//
 * //adjust your voice to suit their needs, eg. volume control for hearing-impaired students or reduced speed for ESL students//
 * //fit study into their schedule by multi-tasking, i.e. listening to your podcast while on the bus to school or going for a walk//
 * //access lesson content if they are absent from class//
 * //revise material on-demand - just-in-time learning, not just-in-case.//
 * //use lesson time more productively - instead of note-taking while the content is delivered in class, students use class time to discuss and question the content presented online//
 * Support students in creating their own podcasts to allow them to:
 * //research and present their understandings on a topic orally//
 * //practice their speaking and listening skills//
 * //reflect on the development of their speaking skills over time//
 * //focus on accuracy of information, knowing they are broadcasting to a potentially worldwide audience//
 * //share their understandings and experiences with friends and family//
 * //create lessons to explain concepts to their peers//
 * //exchange information with students at another school, even one on the other side of the world!//

Where can I see some examples?
media type="file" key="students reflection.mp3" ---The Victorian Education Channel (now called 'Connect!') has some **great** podcasting resources: [|'Connect' Podcasting]
 * Podcast advertising PD on podcasting: [|Brekkie Bytes (]on epotential - username & password required)
 * Secondary teacher podcast (audio): [|Convicts in Australia], from the [|iHistory Podcast Project]
 * Secondary teacher podcast (video): [|'Disease'], from [|Douchy's Biology Podcast]
 * Secondary teacher podcast (video): [|'Molecular polarity'], from [|Meaghers Classes]
 * Primary class podcast (video): [|'Episode 11'], from [|Podkids]
 * Primary class podcast (audio): [|'Being Proud'], from [|'Aussie Kids Podcast Room']
 * Listen to one student's reflection on creating a podcast -

How do I get started?
|| **[|Podomatic]** lets you upload your audio and video files and allows others to subscribe to your podcast (free account - up to 500mB) || || **[|iTunes]** lets you search and subscribe to other people's podcasts (most are free!) and submit your own podcast for others to find (free) ||
 * [[image:audacity.jpg width="144" height="102"]] || **[|Audacity]** lets you record your voice using just your computer and a microphone, and edit the recording with background music and effects (freeware) - more details in Audio Recording ||
 * [[image:http://www.podomatic.com/images/podo_logo_medium.gif? align="center"]]
 * [[image:itunes.jpg align="center"]]