#6 Podcasting

Hands on Activity
In these activities, you can find, listen to, create and/or contribute to a podcast. Some podcasts are also "talkcasts," allowing multiple people to participate in the recording.

Activity 1: Locate and listen to a podcast(s) using a mobile device or your computer.

First, you will need to download podcast software (or "podcatcher" software) to your computer. Examples include Apple's iTunes and Juice (formerly iPodder). For more options and comparisons, see Podcatcher Matrix.

Next, you want to search for podcasts to subscribe to. In iTunes, you can go to the iTunes Store and then search within the searchbox for 'podcasts.' This will bring up many choices such as iTunes U (university class lectures), and a variety of others such as radio shows, many of which are free. If you are using other podcatcher software such as Juice, search on the Web for podcasts to subscribe to or use podcast finding sites such as Odeo, PodcastAlley, Educational Podcast Network and PublicRadioFan.com. With your podcatcher software running, click subscribe on the podcast of your choice. Once your chosen audiofile finishes downloading, you can play it and listen to it through your podcatcher software; it will also continue to download future 'episodes' of that podcast which you have subscribed to as they become available.

Activity 2: Create a podcast "talkcast."

To create a talkcast, go to Talkshoe. You can create, schedule and run a live show. Here is how it works: First, create your community call by describing, scheduling and inviting others. At the time you have determined, go to myTalkshoe, select your call and click on "Start my show." Now it's time to talk! Remember to click on Start recording while you are talking.

A call can be syndicated and downloaded after the live show ends as a podcast. When you’re finished recording, your show is listed on Talkshoe, and can be listed on your blog, iTunes, and other podcast directories. You can also go to the following page to watch a 1-2 minute video on podcasting with Talkshoe Podcast Recording.

Activity 3: Record an audio file and create a feed (rss.xml)

If you have your own way to host audio files in a Web directory, you can create and host your own podcast. First, to record your audio file, you will need a microphone or headset with a microphone, and software for recording such as Audacity; alternatively you could use a digital voice recorder. When you have completed recording and editing your audiofile, save it as an .mp3. Then, create a Web directory named 'podcast' for your audiofiles and the rss.xml file which is your 'pointer' file. The rss.xml file that you will create and load in the 'podcast' directory should list each audiofile you create as an item with descriptive fields for each. Here are examples of what your rss.xml file should look like, from Danny Sullivan's Searchenginewatch.com, Podcast 411 and Apple iTunes example rss feed. You'll notice that your podcast series is a "channel" and each audiofile is an "item"; there are descriptive tags you fill in for your overall podcast series or 'channel,' and then for each of your audiofiles or 'items.' Each time you upload a new audiofile, you need to edit your rss.xml file to add a new set of 'item' tags and information for the new file.

As your final step, check that your rss.xml feed file is working correctly by pasting the URL link for the file into Feed Validator. If it is correct, then you are ready to start listing your podcast rss.xml file URL link with any podcast directories of your choice such as Odeo, iTunes and Podcast Alley. Listing in various directories will help people to find your podcast.

EXAMPLE:
The library can use podcasts to create book talks or capture book talks. We have had local authors come in and not everyone has the opportunity to attend the event. Once we capture the authors words we can then place it on the website for patrons to refer to and for the author to use. In addition, for story time away from the library podcasting can provide parents and their little ones with a story.

In regards to information literacy...