Thing18_makePodcast

=Thing 18 (Week 8): Publish a "Bare Bones" Podcast=

Introduction
As you learned in "Thing 17," a podcast consists of an **audio file** (in mp3 format) **published to the web** and an **RSS feed** (an XML file) that allows listeners to **subscribe** to your podcast using an RSS reader or podcatcher.

Technologically, producing a podcast is actually **pretty easy**. There are lots of free podcast hosting sites on the web, and many services available to help you host your own podcast and create the appropriate RSS feed. There are "pod-safe" music sites, offering Creative Commons-licensed music to enhance your podcasts. There are scores of recording devices, software options, and production tools to help you create polished, professional-sounding audio. (After you have survived this "Thing," and want to begin making "real" podcasts, with sound effects, multiple segments and background music, visit the Podcasting Resources page to learn about GarageBand, Audacity and other tools for your podcast).

Producing a **quality** podcast is not so easy. When you are ready to [|begin podcasting with your students], you will find the real work lies in **planning, writing, editing, developing quality content, rehearsing and creating meaningful assessments**. Just as blogging begins with reading, **podcasting should begin with listening**.

That being said, who can expect teachers to invest in all that planning and effort if they don't feel confident that they can actually produce the podcast?

So, let's make a podcast...

Discovery Exercise
Create a brief **1-2 minute** podcast using Garageband (if you are on your District issued Mac) or Audacity (if you want to try something else).

This "Thing" asks you to just "dip your toe" into podcasting by using garageband to record your voice on your computer. The goal here is for you to produce a legitimate podcast with as few "moving parts" as possible, so don't worry about jingles and background music at this time.

Mac users can use GarageBand for the whole thing. Refer to [|Nick Filipowski's page] for directions- They are Great!
**¤ NOTE:** If you want to record and produce "real" podcasts, you may continue to use audio recording/editing software such as Garageband or Audacity (if you don't have garageband), plus a podcast hosting solution of your choice. This is just meant to be a practice experience.


 * ‡ HELP Tip: **Be sure to plug in your microphone or headset before you get started.

=What should my podcast be about?=
 * Your podcast should be about 3 reasons or ways to use podcasting in the classroom or for professional development.**



Podcast Video (Vocaroo, Zamzar, GCast)
media type="custom" key="3969041" **NOTE: Vocaroo now offers embed code. No need to download audio and convert using Zamzar (still a great resource if you haven't heard of it, check it out). Click "Post on Internet", below "Send to a Friend", to get the embed code.**

Here are the steps, followed by both printable and video help resources: For Vocaroo: 1. Go to [|www.vocaroo.com] 2. Glick "click here to record" 3. Click "allow" 4. Start talking 5. Click stop when you are finished. 6. Wait for the site to finish "communicating with the server" 7. Click download message- see Note above regarding download! 8. You will be taken to another site where you will copy the URL to use for [|Zamzar]
 * < **Step 1:** Record a basic audio file (WAV format) using your computer ([|GarageBand], [|Vocaroo] or [|Audacity])

|| 1. Copy the URL to be converted. 2. Go to Zamzar.com 3. Click "URL" under step 1 4. Paste the URL of your vocaroo audio recording 5. For Step 2, choose MP3 format 6. Enter your email address 7. Click Convert ( **NOTE:** If your school blocks YouTube, you can also use Zamzar to convert and download YouTube videos for use in the classroom. [|Here's how].) || **Step 3** - Upload your MP3 file to [|GCast] to create a podcast. - **THIS STEP MUST BE COMPLETED REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU USED TO RECORD YOUR PODCAST!** 1. go to our course shared account 2. Log in with the username and password provided 3. upload your podcast
 * < **Step 2:** Convert your audio file to MP3 format using [|Zamzar].

( **NOTE:** DO NOT create your own GCast account. We will use a [|shared course account] to host all of our podcast episodes. Username: D112Learning20 Password: nssd)


 * Update: As of 7:35 pm on 12/7, Gcast got over it's problem. Please post as directed originally, not the practice wiki. I'm leaving the practice wiki page in case there are problems again.

As of 4:29 pm on Sunday December 6th, Gcast is acting VERY Strange! Please post your podcast here until I figure out a workaround... **http://d112learning20practicewiki.wikispaces.com/PodcastFall ||

Below is the Gcast player showing recent class participants' podcasts! (Click **Posts** to see a listing of all episodes). Please take a few minutes to browse and listen -- you may get a few good ideas! You can also access everyone's podcasts on our [|D112 Learning 2.0 Podcast Channel].
 * ‡ HELP Resources (Printable): ** [|Gcast].
 * ‡ HELP Videos: **
 * [|Zamzar Help Video]
 * [|GCast Help Video]
 * [|GCast Help Video]

media type="custom" key="3974969"

Task
Write a brief blog post sharing a bit about your podcast-making experience, including **at least one idea** you have for **producing a podcast** to support classroom learning (or your professional role). Be sure to include "Thing 18" in the post title.

Stretch Task
Create more advanced podcasts using GarageBand or Audacity
 * Embed** the Gcast podcast player into your wiki page or in a blog post.