Think+18

Getting to Know Podcasting toc

Introduction
A **podcast** is sort of like an **online radio show**, except the listeners get to decide **when and where** they want to listen.

The term "podcast" is a [|portmanteau] of the words //ipod// + //broadcast//. However, you DON"T NEED an iPod to listen to or create a podcast! Having an iPod (or similar portable device) simply makes listening to podcasts (and other media, such as music, audiobooks and videos) really convenient. (Of course, there are tons of ways to use [|iPods in education]).

An audio file published to the web does **__not__** qualify as a **podcast**. A podcast consists of an audio file (typically MP3 format) **PLUS** an **RSS feed** (XML file). The RSS feed **allows listeners to subscribe** to the podcast and to **automatically receive** new episodes in a special type of RSS reader called a **podcatcher**. In addition to managing your podcast subscriptions and playing the media files, podcatchers can also help you **transfer your podcasts** to your media player. The most popular podcatcher is iTunes, a free program designed to work with iPods, but which also serves as a general media player and organizer, and searchable podcast directory.

**Good to know:** You can subscribe to and play podcasts in your [|Google Reader], but it can't help you transfer your media files onto your portable player. If you just want to **listen to podcasts on your computer**, Google Reader is actually a great option, because it just "points to" the podcast files so that you can play them in the reader, whereas a "true podcatcher" such as iTunes actually DOWNLOADS the media files to your hard drive.

Discovery
Watch the video entitled **//Podcasting in Plain English//**

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Sample a few of the educational podcasts below. As you **explore these podcasts and search for a few of your own**, begin thinking about **ways you could** **use existing podcasts** to **supplement your classroom or professional teaching/learning**.

[|Radio Willow Web]

[|Our City Podcast]

[|Radio Gateway]

[|Hemlock Public Schools SoundOff]

[|Think Youth Live]


 * Where do I find podcasts? **


 * [|iTunes Store] (requires download and installation of iTunes -- you are NOT required to install iTunes to complete this "Think!) - Like it or not, the iTunes Store is the "mother of all" of podcasting directories, offering a catalog of gazillions (estimated) of FREE podcast titles, including over 10,000 titles specific to education.
 * [|Podcast Alley] - The largest general podcast directory on the web. Not all items are student appropriate.
 * [|Education Podcast Network] - A directory of about 2,000 education-themed podcasts, organized by subject area.
 * [|Learn Out Loud] - A directory of about 1500 free "podcasts you can learn from."
 * [|NPR Podcast Directory] - A directory of 619 high-quality podcasts from National Public Radio and affiliates.
 * [|Skip the Tuition: 100 Free Podcasts from the Best Colleges in the World]
 * [|PBS Podcasts] - About thirty quality video podcasts from PBS.

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Additional Resources**

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 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apple - [|Podcasting in Education]
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learning in Hand - [|Podcasting in the classroom]
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get started podcasting with Audacity and other free tools.
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OEDb - [|100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better]

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[[image:thinking.jpg]]Task
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Find a podcast** (or two) that interests you (see "**Where do I find podcasts?**" below) -- ideally, related to your teaching/professional role -- and **subscribe** to it using your [|Google Reader]. (Locate the **RSS** or **Subscribe** icon and click it, then select your **Google Reader**, or **copy and paste the feed URL** into the **Subscribe field** in your **Google Reader**). Listen to a bit of your subscription(s).


 * Write a reflective blog post** about one of the episodes of the podcast you subscribed to. Be sure to include a link to where the podcast can be found on the Internet. Include //**Think 18**// in the title of your blog article.

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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Download and install iTunes.** Find and subscribe to one or more podcasts of professional interest using iTunes. You can add **any podcast feed** to iTunes (even if it's not listed in the iTunes Store -- see "**Where do I find podcasts?**" below) by copying the podcast feed URL, then opening iTunes and selecting **Advanced > Subscribe to Podcast** and pasting the URL). Listen to a bit of your subscription(s).


 * Write a reflective blog post** about one of the episodes of the podcast you subscribed to and your experience using iTunes. Be sure to include a link to where the podcast can be found on the Internet. Include //**Think 18**// in the title of your blog article.


 * Help Resources for iTunes:**


 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[|Get iTunes 7.6] - You do not need to provide your email address -- just UNcheck the email alert boxes!
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apple iTunes Tutorial: [|Get Free Podcasts] (~2 min)

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