I am fairly new to the world of Podcasting. Podcasting is a method of sharing information that involves recording a digital audio file and sharing it on the internet. What makes a podcast different from an MP3 file is that you don't have to go to a site to download it. Like a blog, you can subscribe to a podcast series or an RSS feed and your computer will automatically download it for you until you are ready to listen to it or you can go to a podcast site and download it yourself. There a two main ways to use a podcast - to create and share information or to listen to podcasts that are created by others. Here are a few ways to use podcasts in the library:
- To promote the library through booktalks, read-alouds, book reviews, announcing students achievements, and explaining library programs or policies.
- To share information by allowing students to create their own podcast as a culminating activity - interviews, reading passages, explaining the processes they used , or sharing about a book that they read.
- To share school library news about upcoming activities and events and increase community involvement.
- To present professional development including tutorials, book reviews, discussion guides, policies, or an overview of library policies.
My previous podcasts were made using Audacity - a free software that allows you to record an audio file and edit it. I used Podbean to host my podcast.
This time, I looked at three different free audio hosting sites - Soundcloud, audioBoom, PodOmatic.
Soundcloud allows you to
upload, record, promote, and share your original audio files. The uploads can be in any format and you can follow audio blogs and connect with musicians and podcasters around the world. Users can share their files with Twitter and Facebook share buttons. Audio files can be distributed through widgets and apps. Listeners can post comments on individual parts of tracks and it used by a lot of musicians. I uploaded an audio file and it sounded great. I also recorded a file and it was just as clear as the Audacity recording. However, there is not a way to edit any recording you make on the website. Overall it has a simple interface and is easy to use, but feels more geared toward music than podcasts.
audioBoom
In audioBoom, users can select categories to follow or they can search for content manually. With this one web 2.0 tool you can create, broadcast, and listen to podcasts. It is geared toward the spoken word and not music which makes it better for education purposes. You can also imbed playlists on your websites and apps. AudioBoom is pretty easy to use although it took me a couple of minutes to figure out how to record and I wasn't happy with the recording quality. You can upload a file you have already created or you can record a file directly to audioBoom. Files that I uploaded to audioBoom were nice and clear, but audio that I recorded directly to the site were distorted and hard to hear. It also did not give me any options to edit my audio other than to set stop and start times.
podOmatic
Using podOmatic, you can upload audio files, share your recordings through Facebook and Twitter, and follow others. Right away, I saw the button on the task bar for creating a podcast. It is easy to upload files but there is not an option to record files. When you upload a file, you can choose quality option based on content - talk, music, or original (requires a PRO account). You can add an image to go with the podcast if you choose so you can customize it some. It took longer to upload an audio file than audioBoom did. You can also create a slideshow from photos called a "minicast" which I thought was a nice bonus. It is also available as an app.
Podbean
Podbean is still my podcast hosting site of choice. I really like the interface and you can change the theme to fit your style. Like the others, you can upload files, share them on social media, embed them in blogs and websites, and follow podcast series that you like. You can not record audio on the site or edit audio files. That's okay with me because I like Audacity and I like being able to have more control over my recording and edit things I don't like.
Recently, I chose to create a podcast to celebrate student success. At my school, we have a Millionaires Club that students join when they have read a million words. We are celebrating our first member of the school year by honoring him with his own day. He will be treated like royalty on his special day and get to be first at all of his activities for the day. We also placed his picture in a million dollar bill that we have placed on the wall. He recorded the following podcast to tell others how he reached goal, what he enjoys reading, and why he thinks reading is important.
Enjoy!
-Lisa
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to celebrate a student's success.The fact that he's giving advice to his peers on what it takes to be a millionaire, makes it much more meaningful and memorable to your student.
After reading your opinion/thoughts on Audioboom in particular, I now know that it wasn't where I recorded my podcast that made it sound so muffled in the background, it was the poor recording quality! I too had a moment where I wasn't sure how to start my recording, but once I figured it out, it was smooth sailing. I agree with Sandra, great way to celebrate student success, he did an awesome job with the podcast!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sandra as well, students are taking ownership!!
ReplyDeleteI am fairly new to podcast as well. However, I really enjoyed it...
ReplyDeleteThat idea is awesome! How do you figure out how many words the students have read? Is this through AR, or is there another source? Just curious. Thank you for the detailed analysis of the different programs you shared. This is fantastic knowledge for your colleagues and I really hope you share with them! It's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThe AR program has a report that you can run that shows how many words have been read. Unfortunately it only records it if they test and there are quite a few students that don't want to test. My district started the Millionaire program last year as another incentive to get students reading (and testing). At the end of the year, we will celebrate our millionaires with a special field trip. Last year they went to South Padre Island in a limousine and ate at Blackbeards so this year they are very motivated. This sweet boy is a leader in the making. He was the only 3rd grader in the entire district to achieve millionaire status last year and his goal this year is to be a multi-millionaire!
DeleteWhat a great way to celebrate your student's success. He spoke so clearly and did such a great job!
ReplyDeleteI love his podcast - too cute! I also really enjoyed reading your information about the various hosting sites for podcast, great information about why you liked or disliked them. Very helpful to your readers. :)
ReplyDelete