Web 2.0 - Part VI: Podcasting

This is the eighth issue of the Teaching with Technology newsletter and yes, I have more to share about web 2.0... podcasting. As mentioned in the previous newsletters, web 2.0 is about the Internet shifting from content that is "read only" to a format that allows users to contribute to the medium. Podcasting is like blogging with audio files. Users create "radio-style" shows that are "broadcast" on the Internet. People podcast about a variety of topics including hobbies, careers, interests, and areas of expertise. For educators, this means people are podcasting about history, poems, science, technology, fitness, world languages... the list is endless... and free! Teachers are using podcasts to learn and share best practices; their students are creating podcasts to demonstrate knowledge of the learning objectives.

Many people are confused by the term, podcast. The list below gives answers to some of the frequently asked questions:

Do I need an iPod to listen to a podcast?
No, you can listen to podcasts directly on your computer, any mp3 player, OR an iPod.

Where do I find podcasts?
I think the easiest way to start is iTunes. With this free program you can search, stream, download, and subscribe to podcasts. There are a number of large podcast directories such as Yahoo! Podcasts, Podcast.com, and Odeo. Education specific directories include EPN (Education Podcast Network), OpenCulture, UC Berkley, NPR Podcasts, and Apple Learning Exchange.

What does it mean to subscribe to a podcast and how do I do it?
Some podcasts are posted weekly or even daily, but most podcasters create episodes when they have time. Services like iTunes allow listeners to easily subscribe to their favorite programs in one location. When new episodes are posted, iTunes automatically imports the selected programs.

How do I create a podcast?
Creating a podcast is easier than you might think. Typically, all you need is a computer, recording software, a microphone, and a hosting service. You can even create a podcast using any telephone. The most popular recording software is Audacity (free download), an entry-level microphone can be purchased for about $10, and hosting services can be found for free. After testing several, my favorite is Gcast.

I've posted my first podcast in the upper-right sidebar. Click the "Gcast" play button and let me know what you think.