The word podcast is used to refer to a non-musical audio or video broadcast that is distributed over the Internet. What differentiates a podcast from regular streaming audio or video is that the delivery method for podcasts is often done automatically through RSS. In 2005, "podcast" was named the "word of the year" by New Oxford American Dictionary and with the growth of podcasting over the few years, it’s easy to see why.
Podcasts take many forms, from short 1-10 minutes commentaries to much longer in-person interviews or panel/group discussions. There’s a podcast out there for just about every interest area and the best part about this technology is that you don’t have to have an iPod or a MP3 player to access them. Since podcasts use the MP3 file format, a popular compressed format for audio files, you really just need a PC (or portal device) with headphones or a speaker. iTunes, the free downloadable application created by Apple is a directory finding service most associated with podcasts, but if you don’t have iTunes installed there are still plenty of options. Another option is the Zune Marketplace site (a Microsoft service). Again, you don't need to own a Zune player to listen to the podcasts. There are several podcasts on dozens of topics and interests. You can subscribe to these services for regular downloads of your favorite podcasts.
Discovery Resources:
For this discovery exercise participants are asked to take a look at some popular podcast directory tools. Do some exploring on your own and locate a podcast that is of interest to you. Once found, you can easily pull the RSS feed into your blog reader (i.e., Bloglines or Google Reader) account as well, so that when new casts become available you’ll be automatically notified of their existence.
- Review the Wikipedia article on podcasts.
- Review the SirsiDynix articles on podcasting: Part 1 and Part 2
- Poducate Me
There are many, many podcast directories and search tools out there. Here are some popular ones that don’t, like iTunes or Zune, require a software download:
- Odeo Podcast Browse
- Podcasting Toolbox
- Podcastalley.com
- Findpodcasts.com
- Yahoo Podcasts
- Educational Podcast Directory
Discovery Exercises:
- Take a look at some of the podcast directories listed and see if you can find a podcast that interests you. See if you can find some interesting library related podcasts, book review podcasts, or library news. Add the RSS feed for a podcast to your blog reader account.
- Create a blog post about your discovery process. How can podcasts be used in the library?
- Share the link to a podcast you have discovered on your blog so all the class participants can listen to your podcast.
Add some kind of audio component to your blog -- Try Voki and record your own voice (many of you have already added a Voki to your blog).
Do you want to learn how to podcast? Explore some of these podcasting applications -- add a short podcast to your blog.- Yahoo: Publish a podcast
- Odeo’s Studio – online recording studio.
- Beginners guide to Podcasts & Creating Podcasts
- How to podcast tutorial
- Gabcast -- a podcasting and audioblogging platform; use your phone to record your podcast.
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