Thing 15- Podcasts

Podcasts are audio files that are distributed using some form of web feed such as RSS, like blogs. Though the word "podcast" is a combination of the terms "iPod" and "broadcast," it does not refer solely to feeds that are used by iPod owners. You can listen to podcasts on your computer, mp3 player, or other audio device.
Here's one I made:
Gabcast! Booktalks #1 - Forbidden


Most podcasts are distributed as MP3 files. Programs that are designed to receive podcasts are known as "podcatchers." They are similar to the "aggregators" used with blog posts. You can find a list of common podcatchers at:
http://www.podcastplatform.com/links/podcatchers
Other lists of podcasts can be found at:
Podcast Alley
and
The Education Podcast Network

For this Thing,  listen to a few podcasts, and write about them in your blog. How was the audio quality? Were they interesting enough to make you want to subscribe to them? What sorts of topics did they cover?

If you decide to create a podcast, all you need is a microphone, a computer, and basic audio editing software. Audacity is a free, easy to use editor that works on Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X, Linux, and other operating systems. You can read more about it and download it at:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
The optional LAME plugin for Audacity allows you to save your recordings to the MP3 format. You can find more information on LAME in the Audacity FAQ at:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq

Another great site to check out: Gabcast - a podcasting and audioblogging platform that offers an easy way to create and distribute audio content. Most people will use a touch-tone telephone to make their recordings but we also provide worldwide access to the service through VoIP. Once you have made a recording and have published it, a newsfeed is immediately and automatically updated to alert subscribers to your channel. Not only do they help you make a podcast, they also give you a place to store it online.

Do you think that podcasts can be useful to your students? If so, what types of podcasts do you think would interest them? What about having them create podcasts? Post your thoughts to your blog.