PROJECT ON PODCASTING

Submitted by:TANMAY AGARWAL Section A Roll No 53/12

An overview of podcasting

The term podcast is a blend of words iPod and broadcast. A podcast is a series of digital-media files which are distributed over the internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and computers. A podcast consists of many media files and a RSS feed xml text file. Media files are automatically downloaded to subscribers computer with podcatcher software like iTunes. Listeners transfer downloaded media files to their iPod, mp3 player to listen on the go.The era of podcasting begins - pre-selected, "on demand" or time-shifted digital radio. Indeed, Apple have released the next version of iTunes (currently version 6.0) which integrates podcasts alongside their existing provision for Internet radio and audio downloads. Basically. a podcast is an internet-based radio show. To create a podcast, all you need is a microphone, a PC, and audio editing software. The resulting MP3 audio file is uploaded to a website from where it can be downloaded and then listened to "on demand" via a portable MP3 player. Podcasting uses a XML-based technology called RSS (Really Simple Syndication), which is being used on more and more websites to provide ready access to information. Various organisations use this approach to provide a list of new content or information items in a XML or RSS file. Either of these terms will be used on websites to indicate the presence of a RSS feed, often in the form of a graphic such as those shown below.

The BBC, for example, provides a range RSS feeds on different topics for regularly updated news items (see Table below). A wide range of information can be provided in RSS feeds including channels, dates, titles and descriptions. Recently, an extension to XML was introduced which allowed for "enclosures"; basically, these provide information about an enclosed file and location. Using MP3 files as enclosures in XML or RSS files has been the spur to the evolution of podcasting.
Table: List of RSS feeds (XML format) published via the BBC website News Front Page World UK England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Business Politics Health Week Education Science/Nature Technology Entertainment Have Your Say Magazine At A Glance Programmes

History Of PODCASTING
Many individuals and groups including Dawn and Drew of The Dawn and Drew Show, Kris and Betsy Smith of Croncast and Dan Klass of The Bitterest Pill contributed to the early emergence and popularity of podcasts.Former MTV VJ Adam Curry is credited with coming up with the idea to automate the delivery and syncing of textual content to portable audio players.The first application to make this process feasible was iPodderX, developed by August Trometer and Ray Slakinski. Since the 1930s there have been radio talk shows and news programs. Today, through the evolution of the internet capabilities, along with cheaper hardware and software, audio podcasts are doing what was historically done through radio broadcast stations. In June 2005, Apple released iTunes 4.9 with native support for podcasts. While this made receiving podcasts more convenient, it effectively ended advancement of the podcast medium by independent developers. To add to the cooling factor, Apple issued Cease and Desist orders to many podcast application developers and service providers for using the term "iPod" or "Pod" in the name of their product.

Types of podcast
1) Audio only podcast- Audio only, plays on any mp3 player. It is a combination
of mp3 files + a RSS xml file e.g. fondren library: http://library.rice.edu/services/podcasts 2) Video podcasts- A video podcast (sometimes shortened to vodcast) includes video clips. Web television series are often distributed as video podcasts. o Audio + video, plays on computer and iPod with video o m4v or mp4 files + a RSS xml file o e.g. Real Nebraska. http://admissions.unl.edu/real_nebraska/ 3) Enhanced podcasts- An enhanced podcast can display images simultaneously with audio. These can contain chapter markers, hyperlinks, and artwork; all of which is synced to a specific program or device. When an enhanced podcast is played within its specific program or device, all the appropriate information should be displayed at the same time and in the same window, making it easier to display materials. Enhanced podcasting is considered to be a very practical way to present information.

4) Podcast novels - A podcast novel (also known as a serialized audiobook or podcast audiobook) is a literary format that combines the concepts of a podcast and an audiobook. Like a traditional novel, a podcast novel is a work of long literary fiction; however, this form of novel is recorded into episodes that are delivered online over a period of time and in the end available as a complete work for download. The episodes may be delivered automatically via RSS, through a web site, blog, or other syndication method. These files are either listened to directly on a user's computer or loaded onto a portable media device to be listened to later.

Finding and subscribing to podcasts

Locate and subscribe to a podcast feed (XML/RSS)

2 Select and listen to the podcast on-line, or 3 Download and listen to the podcast, and 4 Transfer the podcast to a MP3 player

Find podcasts iTunes store->podcasts Other podcast directories such as podcastpickle.com, podomatic.com Subscribe to podcasts Click on the subscribe link on the page Or if you know the url of the podcast feed xml file, go to iTunes->Advanced>Subscribe to Podcast, paste the feed url into the popup window.

Exploiting the educational potential of podcasting

Podcasting for schools - In reality, there are so many possibilities and,
ultimately, the creativity and imagination of teachers and learners will drive the educational podcasting agenda in future. However, there are three areas where the potential of podcasting could be realised within schools:
a)

Devising a cross-curricular activity; - There are many possible starting points for devising a cross-curricular activity. However, such activities may, on the one hand, originate from an ICT curriculum activity with a cross-curricular theme. On the other hand, activities could be incorporated as a genuine project or topic embracing different areas of the curriculum.

b)

Providing alternative teaching approaches;- The potential of using audio material to support learning has been around for some time. Podcasting can not only build on the range of existing material that exists in other formats, but can also be tailored for specific in-house topics and learning activities in many curriculum areas.Broadly, the advent of podcasting provides teachers with the potential to employ alternative approaches to teaching and learning by:

building and extending existing audio methodologies (tapes, CD, on-line); providing bespoke content linked directly to class topics and curricular activities; creating additional materials to extend the "gifted and talented" and supporting those with specific learning needs; supplying instructional content to reinforce particular curriculum tasks or activities; presenting additional materials to support independent learning for revision and homework.

c)

Promoting and using personalised learning.- Personalised learning has been given great prominence over the past 12 months and is emerging as a real challenge for teachers and senior leadership teams as a key area of school improvement. The National College for School Leadership publication, Leading Personalised Learning in Schools (2005) provides a useful summary:

"Personalised learning offers a means of transforming the learning experience of every child. It will create an education system tailored to the needs, interests and aptitudes of every single pupil. As such, it is a challenge for schools, but it is also a real opportunity to make a positive impact on young people's learning and future."

Copyright, music and legal issues

Unlike other forms of radio broadcasting, podcasting per se is not subject to direct censorship or regulatory control. This is part of its attraction. However, there are pitfalls for the unwary. Just like any other form of published media, content on the Internet is subject to copyright, associated terms of use and other laws such as defamation. The loss of royalties and flouting of copyright made headline news with the illegal downloading of music via MP3 files only a few years ago. The laws covering copyright, offensive material and libel are complex. Schools, like individuals, must take steps to ensure that published podcasts do not infringe any existing copyright and that the content cannot be considered offensive or libelous. BMI, the American performing rights organisation, has announced licensing for music in podcasts. Also, music.podshow.com have produced a really useful website for podcasters who wish to locate podsafe music that various artists have uploaded for use in podcasts. There is a range of musical genre to choose from. Be aware that ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are very keen to ensure that they are not liable to prosecution as result of illegal use or offensive material. The storage of illegal MP3 files on their web servers has made ISPs much more sensitive and they will have made sure that respective responsibilities and liabilities have been set out in their terms and conditions. In most cases these are also published on your ISP website. It is always worth reading such terms and conditions carefully to ensure that all eventualities are covered. Often these terms and conditions are updated to reflect case law as well as the advent of new technologies.

Further information
Podcasting is a relative recent phenomenon but there is already a range of material published on the Internet. A list of sources for further reading and information about podcasting is set out in Table

Information source Apple Education and iTunes

Comment An overview of podcasting in education with reference to the iTunes directory of podcasts (available from version 4.9 upwards). A really useful website for podcasters who wish to locate podsafe music that various artists have uploaded for use in podcasts. There is a range of musical genre to choose from. The website to visit to obtain software to download, install and use to listen to podcasts. The software caters for different computer operating systems and links are regularly updated. The site also has a podcast directory. Our own podcast directory with a range of good quality and carefully selected school and subject podcasts for use by children, young people, educators, schools and colleges. A website providing audio guides (PodGuides) that can be downloaded onto iPods or other mp3 players. This section of the website provides real-life examples where the iPod has been used for literacy, history, geography, art, music and PSHE.

music.podshow.com

ipodder.org

Podcasts for educators

podguides.net

Apple Education

wikipedia.org

Useful information provided on podcasting, including sections on the technology, comparisons to broadcasting, the history of podcasts, radio stations, related terms and external links. A good resource on podcasting with plenty of advice, information and guides that are easily accessed using the in-built navigation systems. A range of "Podcasting how to" articles. A useful set of tutorials and information for both the novice and expert alike. Good range of information on how to create podcasts (based on Apple Macintosh) and associated information. The website includes contributions and comments from other users. Newly published book on podcasting by Todd Cochrane, published by Hungry Minds Inc., U.S. ISBN: 0764597787 Up-to-date news, articles and information associated with podcasting. Plenty of material and access to reports. A general article providing a good overview of podcasting.

www.podcastingtools.com

www.podcast411.com

www.engadget.com

www.amazon.co.uk

www.podcastingnews.com

www.podcastalley.com