Podcasting

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What is podcasting?

 * blogs with audio
 * like internet radio shows

So What Is Podcasting? Podcasting is a new phenomena. The term comes from the [|concatenation] of two words: iPod and broadcasting. Unlike traditional broadcasts, which require the listener tune in at the exact time a program is broadcast, podcasting allows the listener to download a program from the internet when convenient and listen to it on his/her [|iPod] whenever and where ever the listener chooses. Of course the listener could just listen to the program from their computer too.

Everyone has heard all of the rage about downloading music from the internet. This is the same idea. But it's not just limited to music. People all over the world are starting their own programs, their own “broadcasts” or podcasts, and sharing them legally with anyone in the world with a computer who wants to listen. Major corporations are even doing podcasts: Disney, NPR, ESPN, ABC News, BBC News, sports, arts & entertainment, news, family, technology, public radio, talk radio, morning shows--it's all there. The list is huge! So why would a school consider using this new podcasting technology? I can think of several reasons:
 * The first reason on my list: it's free. It doesn't cost the school or the user anything.
 * So, you can't make it to the Open House meeting at the beginning of the year because of a scheduling conflict? No problem. With podcasting, you can download the audio at home on your computer and listen to it when things are not as hectic.
 * Your child's grandparents are on vacation in England and will miss his band concert. Not anymore. Grandma and grandpa can download and listen to it from the internet.
 * You can download your child's orchestra concerts and then burn a collection of the performances to a CD for your scrapbook.
 * Your child is having difficulty with the dialogue the class is working on in French. She can download the dialogue, as spoken by her teacher, put it on her iPod, and repeatedly listen to it back and forth to school, piano lessons, and swim team.

Yes, you heard the magic word--[|iPod]. With [|iTunes], which is available for free on Windows and Mac, you can actually download Mabry Middle School's podcasts from the iTunes store (for free) and put them on your iPod. (Directions will be posted to a link that will go here.) Listen at the gym, in the car, while you're jogging...whenever is convenient for you. You can even subscribe to the Mabry Podcasts, and many others if you choose, and have them automatically delivered to you through [|iTunes]. So the school's latest podcasts are available to you with no effort required on your part. And, I'm pleased to tell you that we are presently the 3rd school in the entire world to do this for you! (I was very disappointed we weren't the first!) And how much does all of this cost? Well, again, it's free. Now, I don't want everyone to think we will be podcasting 24/7 at Mabry. We can't. We're learning this new technology, and you are too. But in time, as we all begin to learn how to do this, I anticipate our having a slowly growing collection of podcasts throughout the year.

Podcasting will not replace our traditional means of communication. This is just another way we hope to increase the communication between the school and our community. from [|Podcast Central]

What equipment do I need?

 * computer
 * microphone
 * [|Audacity] free program
 * Audacity Wiki
 * [|Unlock Audacity] before saving!

Super Easy way to podcast!
[|Gcast] all you need is a telephone - could even be a cell phone!

Links
[|Willow Web] Classroom Podcasts