PowerCasting : Using PowerPoint as a Podcasting Tool

1. PowerCasting: Using PowerPoint as a Podcasting Tool Dr. Steve Broskoske Misericordia University

2. What Is a Podcast? + = podcast iPod broadcast

3. What Is a Podcast? • podcast: • An audio (and possibly video) recording that can be listened to (and viewed) via an iPod, other MP3 player, a computer, or a mobile computing device. • Many podcasters will offer an RSS feed to alert users of new podcasts available at the site.

4. Faculty Use of Podcasts • Repetition of lecture material covered in class: • A second look at the material. • A different approach to the material. • Supplement to class activities: • Remediation for slower learners. • Enrichment for advanced or highly motivated learners. • Assistance for students with certain disabilities. • Support for English language learners.

5. Faculty Use of Podcasts • Added benefits: • Facilitates self-paced learning. • Frees up class time for other group and interactive activities.

6. Popularity of Podcasts • Study by the Pew Trusts (Rainie & Madden, 2005): • 29% of all iPod users have downloaded a podcast. • Nearly half of all college-age iPod owners have downloaded a podcast. • iTunes University currently distributes thousands of free college-level podcasts from over eight hundred universities.

7. Podcasts Improve Student Learning • Researchers are beginning to find that podcasting can improve student learning outcomes. • McGarr (2009) suggests that podcasting can improve student learning by increasing student motivation and engagement. • McKinney, Dyck, and Luber (2009) found that students watching a lecture podcast significantly outperformed a group of students who only viewed the lecture in person.

8. Two Ways to ImplementPodcasting in a Traditional Classroom • Choose a medium for delivery that is appropriate to your technology skill level. • Podcasting: Use free or inexpensive audio recording software on a computer to record your voice. • PowerCasting: Easily record a lecture within an existing PowerPoint presentation. PowerCasting is a term coined by Dr. Steve to describe an easy & creative alternative to traditional podcasting.

9. PowerPoint and Podcasting • “True” podcasting: • Audio (possible video). • Syndication capabilities (RSS feed subscription). • PowerCasting (PowerPoint podcasting): • Easy way to add “podcasting” to your teaching. • Focus on content, not on the tool. • Utilize presentations you already have.

10. Narrate an Entire Slideshow • PowerPoint will allow you to record continuous narration (lecture) as you run the slideshow as you usually would in class. • As you narrate, the time you spend on each slide can also be recorded.

11. Edit the Narration • In reality, PowerPoint records a separate narration for each slide. This allows you to: • Preview each slide narration individually. • Edit the sound for each slide individually. • Begin re-recording from a particular slide, stopping at any point.

12. Adjusting Recording Settings Right-click the volume icon in the system tray. Select “sound.” Set recording quality. Set recording level.

13. Steps in Recording Narration • Set microphone level (in Office 2007). Set up and adjust microphone if needed.

14. Steps in Recording Narration • Select this tool to beginrecording the narration.

15. Steps in Recording Narration • After you hit “OK,” the presentation will run as usual. • Recording begins immediately. Begin speaking. • Advance slides by clicking as usual. • If you are using custom animation, click during narration as usual. • Hit ESC to end early, OR record until you hit the end of the presentation.

16. Steps in Recording Narration • PowerPoint will ask if you want to save the slide timings. Before recording in PP 2010. Maybe Definitely After recording in PP 2007.

17. Hint When Recording Narration HINT: On each slide, pause for1 second before and after speaking to ensure all ofyour words are recorded.

18. When a Student Listens • When the slideshow is played back: • The presentation automatically advances using your saved slide timings (if you saved them). • If a student begins playing the slideshow from a particular slide, the narration begins from that point. • A student can click to advance the slide early, clipping your sound file. Learner Control

19. Editing Narration • Navigate to the slide you want to re-record. • Select slideshow—record narration. • Continue recording on subsequent slides. • Press the ESC key to end recording.

20. PowerPoint Extras • You can also add any of these PowerPoint interactive “extras”: • Use animation to build slides and maintain learner attention. • Navigate to a Website using an action button. • Link to files (documents, spreadsheets). • Embed or link to a video. • Use animation to provide embedded questions about the lesson, and triggered animation to feedback.

21. LET’S TRY IT! • Let’s try recording continuous narration using a PowerPoint presentation to create a PowerCast. • Remember: • Recording begins immediately. • Advance the slides as usual – your timings are saved as well.