Unit+8

=z= =ED 585 | Integrating Technology into the Curriculum =

Unit 8: Podcasts and Blogs


Overview
This unit will explain podcasting and discuss the educational rationale for podcast use. Audio concerns for the production of a podcast (ambient noise, etc), basic audio equipment, basic audio editing software, and music backgrounds will also be presented. This unit will also explore: scripting, web page considerations for hosting podcasts, and distribution of the podcast. Finally, there will be a discussion on blogs and how they are impacting education.

Objectives
Upon completion of the unit, students will be able to:
 * explain podcasting
 * list the tools available for podcasting
 * evaluate the benefits of using podcasting in the classroom
 * incorporate podcasts and blogs into teaching

Topic 1. What is Podcasting?
“Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet using either the RSS or Atom syndication formats, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. The term podcast, like 'radio', can mean both the content and the method of delivery. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster. Podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their files; a podcast however is distinguished by its ability to be downloaded automatically using software capable of reading RSS or Atom feeds.

Usually a podcast features one type of 'show', with new episodes released either sporadically or at planned intervals such as daily or weekly. In addition, there are podcast networks that feature multiple shows on the same feed.” Wikipedia @http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting.

Podcasting takes advantage of new technologies to let anyone with basic computer skills create a podcast. You can think of a podcast as a radio program. Podcasts are stored as links on a webpage and can be downloaded by anyone with an MP3 player. Usually podcasts are stored in MP3 format. “MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, more commonly referred to as MP3, is the most popular digital audio encoding and lossy compression format, designed to greatly reduce the amount of data required to represent audio, yet still sound like a faithful reproduction of the original uncompressed audio to most listeners.” Wikipedia @http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3 July 29, 2006. The podcasts are available to a large group of listeners anytime, anywhere. The production and distribution costs associated with producing a podcast are minimal and this is one of the reasons podcasts are becoming more popular.

The new Internet Explorer that uses Windows 7 cannot download the necessary add-ons for viewing the videos. IE is a 64 bit browser, and you cannot install the necessary Adobe Flash to a 64-bit – you need to use a 32-bit browser. You should use Firefox for any of the videos below if you are using Windows 7.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Listen to the Ninja’s opinion on what a podcast is: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">One of the most popular media productions on the WWW today is Rocketboom, which borrows from the conventions of the podcast, blog (discussed later in this unit) and vlog (video blog). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">To create a podcast, you must record your audio. It is important to secure a quiet room when recording your podcast, away from fans, air conditioners, phones, etc. First of all, you need a computer and microphone. Some microphone resources to record your audio are:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Samson Tech (starting about $40) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.samsontech.com/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Blue Microphones (various styles) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.bluemic.com/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Logitech (starting at about $19.99) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.logitech.com/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Audacity (popular because it is free) can be used to record live audio and sounds, or input audio from a file source. For more information on Podcasting and Audacity, click on the image below: The audio can then be converted into an MP3 file with Audacity. Music and sound effects go a long way in enhancing a podcast. There are several resources to obtain music and sounds:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">FreePlay Music <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.freeplaymusic.com/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">FlashKit <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.flashkit.com/index.shtml

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Internet Archive <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.archive.org/index.php

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Podsafe Music Network <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://music.podshow.com/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">You may then have to edit your audio. There are several tools available to edit your audio:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">PC sound editing software (about $299, free trial available) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/Products/ShowProduct.asp?PID=961

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Apple sound editing software (comes with iLife $79) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Open Source (free software for both Mac and PC) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Need free MP3 encoder for Audacity <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">There are two other important steps to support your podcast production and allow your podcasts to be available for listeners. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">1) A web page on which to host your podcasts. The web page should contain an introduction which explains the purpose of the show. If the podcast is just for your class or your school, it is fine just to post it on your webpage. With some very basic HTML source code, you can embed audio files (MP3s, WAVs, AIFs, etc.) in web pages with relative ease. Basically, you can podcast (from a website) with a simple "embed" tag:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">__To embed relative files__: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;"><embed src="directory/westside.mp3" width=146 height=61 controls=console autostart=false loop=false>.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">__To embed absolute files__: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;"><embed src="http://www.host.com/music/file.mp3" width=146 height=61 controls=console autostart=false loop=false>

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">2) After you have produced your podcasts, you will need a "syndication feed." Or to help you create the [|XML] page that provides aggregator (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggregator) information about what it is exactly you wish to syndicate. For instructions on "Making an RSS Feed" view Danny Sullivan's page at: http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=2175271

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">The Podcast RSS Feed Generator can help you produce your XML: http://www.tdscripts.com/webmaster_utilities/podcast-generator.php

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">RSS feeds speak to distribution sites, and lets them know when a new podcast show is available to access and for download. The podcasts are then automatically downloaded to all listeners who have subscribed to a particular series. For more information visit: American Public Media’s Future Tense @http://www.publicradio.org/columns/futuretense/rss.html

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">iTunes @http://www.apple.com/podcasting/ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">iPodder @http://ipodder.sourceforge.net/index.php <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Podcast.net @http://www.podcast.net/ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Podcast.com [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">The Education Podcast Network http://epnweb.org

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Another important website is Creative Commons. Check it out at: http://creativecommons.org/ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Also, download the Podcasting Legal Guide at: http://mirrors.creativecommons.org/Podcasting_Legal_Guide.pdf

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Tony Vincent developed his podcasting guide. It can be downloaded at: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Topic 2. Podcasting in Education[[image:iPod.png width="300" height="264" align="right"]]
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">The iPod revolutionized music, and it quickly took over the classroom as a portable learning tool, allowing anywhere, anytime access to speeches, audio books, and lectures. Soon photos and podcasts expanded teaching possibilities, and, now, just a few months later, video is evolving the experience even further.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">The opportunities are endless now for teachers to seamlessly create, distribute, and access all kinds of learning materials. Podcasting offers several opportunities for integrating technology into the curriculum. Teachers can create podcasts with instructional content, or present information to other teachers or parents. Students can create podcasts for reports instead of using PowerPoint, create oral readings and they also can conduct interviews of primary sources.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Many schools, nonprofits, and businesses have newsletters, email and websites for information and instructional purposes. A podcast allows you to take communication to the next level by enhancing textual information with audio and in some cases podcasts are utilizing images. Also, podcasting allows the content to be broadcast or in another word - pushed to the student, teacher or parent. Interested parties can subscribe and listen whenever and wherever they want.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">With more and more educational content being developed for and delivered through Podcasting, educators and students have access to audio ranging from curriculum-related content to professional development, anytime and anywhere. Imagine a math professor posting lectures and assignment from class to a website that provides an RSS feed. Students can subscribe to the feed from home and have their class assignments and content synced with their iPods and take it with them wherever they go.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">To view videos at the following websites if you are using Windows 7, please use the Firefox browser. Ron Redericks [] demonstrates how screencasting can enhance lecture as it leverages the conventions of a media player--giving users the ability to pause, play, and replay important content. Wilkes Language Institute and School of Pharmacy are developing practice dialogues for pharmacists who may work in or are already working in Spanish-speaking communities.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Here is link to a free screncasting application. @http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">The keys to raising student achievement are to provide students with a solid foundation of basic skills and to motivate them to learn. A summary of research projects conducted over the past two decades show the positive impact of technology on student achievement. Cradler, John, McNabb, Mary, Freeman, Molly & Burchett, Richard. (2002) How Does Technology Influence Student Learning? ISTE, Learning & Leading with Technology.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Access Free Webcasts Podcasting in Education <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Tony Vincent on Podcasting (a great resource) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.learninginhand.com/podcasting/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Chris Walsh (Podcasting at NECC (National Educational Computing Conference) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">[|http://123elearning.blogspot.com/2006/07/podcasting-with-chris-walsh.htm]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Examples of using Podcasting in Education

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Radio Willow Web (excellent examples) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Emerging Technology: Podcasting in Education <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.techlearning.com/edge/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=57702726

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">The Use of iPods in Education <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://dirkson1.wordpress.com/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">EPN (Education Podcast Network) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">@http://www.epnweb.org/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Topic 3. Blogs
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">“A weblog, which is usually shortened to blog, is a type of website where entries are made (such as in a journal or diary), displayed in a reverse chronological order. Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Most blogs are primarily textual although many focus on photographs, videos or audio. The word blog can also be used as a verb, meaning adding an entry to a blog.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Several blog search engines are used to search blog contents (also known at the blogosphere), such as Blogdigger, Feedster, and Technorati. Google Trends allows the tracking and comparison of the popularity of search terms over time. Technorati provides current information on both popular searches and tags used to categorize blog postings.” Wikipedia [] July 29, 2006.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Read some education-related blogs. An example of one is http://teachwtech.blogspot.com. Feel free to add comments while you're there--one of the main features of most blogs is the interaction between the author and the readers.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Certain precautions need to be exercised or at least considered when utilizing blogs in K-12 education. Be sure to check your district’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and policies in general regarding this type of a tool, especially if you are considering including names and pictures of students online. Many districts prohibit this type of use due to confidentiality concerns. It is not necessary or advisable to post identifying information. With a tool such as Blogger, [] formerly known as BlogSpot, you are able to create a blog and set restrictions so that only registered users who you enroll have access to the blog to view and post comments. You are also able to "hide" your blog making it viewable only to those who have your blog's URL. Therefore; it would not be searchable for the general public.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Discussions **
//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Storytelling // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">As a teacher, you know that by putting the technology in the hands of students you can create innovative learning experiences and increase motivation, all while teaching curriculum-specific content. You heard about an innovative project designed to get students writing stories about themselves called MeTV. The project is based on the principles of telling personal stories:[| http://www.digitales.us/index.php] Getting students to write is the crucial step in achieving many curriculum standards and is often one of the benchmarks associated with a standard. Getting students writing, especially about themselves, family, or community, is one way to encourage writing while strengthening writing skills. What questions could you ask your students to get them thinking? What is a story circle? Could you find ways to weave a story throughout all curriculum areas? How? Post your answer by clicking on the discussion bubble of this wiki.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Assignments **
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Create a podcast which you can use in your classroom. The podcast should be not more than 5 minutes. Feel free to involve your students in the production of the podcast. For the purposes of this assignment, you don't have to create the RSS file that allows people to subscribe to the podcast. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">To create a podcast, you need a microphone, free software such as [|Audacity] and a [|free mp3 converter] which needs to be installed. For directions on installing the mp3 encoder: []

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">You may want to look at Google Voice and see what this free web app can do. You will need a gmail account for this. An instructor from York, PA sent me the following example of how he uses this app. " I've had students give out Google Voice numbers to their elementary students (along with a letter to parents) and have the children call the Google Voice number to read to their teacher! Then, download the mp3 from Google Voice and play it (with permission) for the whole classroom during then end-of-the-day-get-ready-for-the-bus routine. The children LOVED listening to each other and the teacher got kids excited about reading aloud. Very cool all the way around." (Tyson, 2012)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">An interview focusing on K-12 podcasting with Tony Vincent, technology specialist from Willowdale Elementary School in Omaha, NE may help you with some ideas, tips and tricks for this assignment. He describes his experiences with podcasting and student examples and reactions from students, teachers and parents. http://learninginhand.com/

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">File Submissions: **
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">When submitting a file, ensure the identity of the submission by putting your name along with the unit number and then place your file in the appropriate table on the projects page of this wiki.