Browse for Education Podcasts

• iTunes Store... Podcasts are free!
• Categries... Education
• "Listeners Also Subscribed To..."
• Visit iTunes U

Search for Podcasts

• Basic search
• Powersearch... more specific

Subscribe to a Podcast Show

• Subscribe... new episodes come to you!
• iTunes keeps track of...
  • Podcasts you have already listened to
  • Where you last left off on the podcast

Download the Audacity Software

• Audacity website: http://audacity.sourceforge.net
• Download Audacity 1.2.6 (not the 1.3 beta version)

Want to make MP3 files?... that's LAME

• MP3 files are about 10x smaller than standard WAV
• Need a separate encoder called LAME
• Download at: http://www.gaclrecords.org.uk/lame_enc.dll

The Audacity Tools

• Selection Tool... used most often
• Time Shift Tool... use with multiple audio tracks
• Resize with the "Fit" tools

Create a Folder for Your Project

• Avoid frustration... create a project folder
• Multiple files are created... keep it in one place
• Easy transfer from school > home with flash drive

Microphone Settings

• Audio will only be as good as your mic settings
• Record/listen to a sample before starting

Record an Audio Track

• Record... Pause... Stop
• TIP: Use "Pause" whenever possible. The "Stop" button will create a new audio track.

Edit the Recorded Audio

• The real power of recording on a computer... editing
• Delete sections of audio with the Selection Tool
• Fade audio in and out
• Increase/decrease recorded volume
• Label tracks
  • TIP: If you are burning a lot of audio to CD, this is a must!

Add Music from a CD

• When appropriate, music can enhance your audio recording.
  • TIP: Free Play Music is another great option... http://www.freeplaymusic.com
• "Bumper music" is great for introductions and closing comments
• Rip music as MP3 files

Export Audio (two options)

• Export as WAV
  • Best option for burning audio CDs that can be played in any CD player
• Export as MP3
  • Best option for files played on a computer (i.e., website, Pick-Up/Drop-Off folders, etc.)

Create a Gcast Account

• Go to the Gcast website: http://www.gcast.com
• Three easy steps: Create... Name... Record-by-Phone

Upload Your Audacity Recording to Gcast

• Upload new audio... WAV or MP3
• TIP: Do not worry if your voice sounds like a "Chipmunk" when you first play the uploaded audio. It will take several minutes for the file to be converted to the proper format.

Embed the Podcast Player on Your Website

• TeacherWeb example
• No storage space required
• Automatically updated when you add new audio at Gcast

Record Audio by Phone

• Try it!
  • Call toll-free anytime at 1-888-65-GCAST (888-654-2278)
  • Enter Mr. Brandt's phone number: 952-758-1349
  • Enter four-digit PIN: 2008
  • Begin recording at the tone
    • Press #... end current recording
    • Press 1... review recording
    • Press 2... save without publishing
    • Press 3... erase and record again

Create an Episode from a Playlist

• Use the Playlist Manager to "mix" your recordings
• The "Published Post" will automatically be added to your podcast

Classroom Ideas for Podcasting

• Have top readers in class record audio books for struggling readers

• Create public service announcement (PSA) commercial

• Radio news program

• Radio talk show

• Record important lectures

• Read poems with commentary about the writer's meaning

• Students read there own poems or stories

• Interviews

• Book reviews

• Ideas for Podcasting in the Classroom