Pod-casting

Objectives:

• To learn what a Podcast is

• To learn what makes a good Podcast

• To learn what is meant by and the difference between MP3 and MP4.

• To learn about how to plan a Podcast show

What is a Podcast?

• A form of audio broadcasting using the Internet, podcasting takes its name from a combination of "iPod" and broadcasting. iPod is the immensely popular digital audio player made by Apple computer, but podcasting does not actually require the use of an iPod.

Are Podcasts just sound files?

• No, With technology changing at such a fast rate you can now download “Video Podcasts”

• What file format are these?

• MPEG LAYER 4 (MP4)

What type of file format is used?

• Generally speaking they are stored as MP3 files

What type of software do I need?

• Any software that records sound e.g. Audacity or GarageBand

What will we be doing?

• In small groups you are to create a Podcast on a chosen topic. The Podcast will then be made available to download from the school website.

Before we start

• What are our success criteria?• Audience?• Purpose?

What makes a good Podcast?• Podcasts should be short. • Don't take yourself seriously • Be Chunky • Don't Ramble, Be organized. • Cram, cram, cram as much good stuff as you can into

the time. • Get decent audio! • Get a buddy. If you can, get someone with whom

you can riff, someone who brings another layer of experience and expertise.

Continued…• Try to be natural. I guess this is kind of a recurring

theme, but don't try too hard to be stodgy and official. Don't be lazy and inane, but don't be stuffy either.

• Do some editing.

• Use music: Music really softens a podcast up. I don't want an MP3 of your favorite songs, don't waste my time. But as an intro, a little background and as transition material, music can really polish things up.

Your Task:• Over the next few lessons you will be creating your

own Podcast show. You will be required to:

• Work in small groups (No more than 3)• Gather information for your PodCast from a number

of sources• Write a script for your show• Record, edit and save the show. The best of these

could be used on the Intranet.

Today’s lesson:• Get into a group!

• Spend a few minutes discussing some ideas for a PodCast – remember the factors that make a good PodCast that we discussed.

• Choose a subject and begin gathering the information that you will need. You may research the Internet for this or create a survey.

• Begin to write a script for your show. You should aim to have around about a 3-5 minute show.

Objectives:

• Learn about the software and hardware that is used to record PodCasts

• Continue to gather information and write your scripts.

What do you need to make a PodCast?

HARDWARE

• A computer

• A Microphone

What else do you need?

SOFTWARE

• A program that can record, edit and save sound

• Here we use the program called “Audacity”

• Backing music: MP3 format – this must be copyright free…what does this mean?

A quick tour of audacity…• What can it do?

• Record sound from a microphone (analogue signal)

• Turns this into digital sound file (WAV)

• Add effects to the sounds

• Add backing tracks

• Convert files into MP3 format

Tasks:• Continue to write your PodCast Script

• If you would like a backing track go to the website: www.freeplaymusic.com. If you have trouble downloading ask

your teacher for help.

• Once you have done this decide on who will read the script and then practice it.

• Check the script with your teacher. Once they are happy with it you will be ready to record.

Objectives:

• To record and edit your Podcast.

• To add and edit any backing tracks that you add.

The plan……

• Each group will have a chance to go and record their audio in a quiet place.

• Meanwhile, other groups can keep practicing/perfecting their scripts.

Objectives:

• To polish off your PodCast by adding effects such as fading in and out.

• To evaluate your work

Evaluation:• Using Microsoft word evaluate your project. Answer the following

questions:

• What was your Podcast about?• What software/ hardware did you use? • Who did you work with? Did you work well together? Why?• What went well?• What didn’t go well?• What did you enjoy? Why?• What did you find difficult? Why?• If you were to do the project again would you do it in the

same way?