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Note to recipients of this file: I have removed photographs and embedded media files so that the presentation does not use up so much memory. I have included URLs to example media files where possible. This is also the longer version of the presentation with additional sources and information. Thanks! Donna Shelton, PhDNortheastern State UniversityTahlequah, Oklahoma Podcasting: Language Instruction Applications for an Online Phenomenon
Agenda • What are podcasts? • How are schools using this technology? • Where do I find Spanish-language podcasts? • How can my students and I create podcasts? • How can I incorporate podcasts into courses?
Podcasts and Vodcasts • Digital audio and video files distributed over the Internet • Available through download from websites or through a subscription feed • Listen and/or view on a computer or a mobile device such as an iPod or an MP3 player • Podcasting software – iTunes, Juice, iPodder – needed to subscribe • Many of these applications are available online free of charge
Podcasts and Vodcasts • Subscriptions to pod- and vodcasts are made possible by software called RSS • Some RSS applications are open-source or free • To make podcasts, digital audio can be converted to an MP3 file, a format recognized by RSS • To make vodcasts, digital video can be converted to a variety of formats that RSS can deliver • The RSS file includes text that describes your MP3 or video file for the potential user • Again, pod- and vodcasts can be created, posted, and downloaded without subscription
Methods for Using the Technology • Use growing rapidly • Podcasts in higher education • Content delivery method for online or hybrid courses • Supplements to traditional courses accessed through websites or course management systems • Outreach or recruiting tools • Podcast-based programs at many institutions
Methods for Using the Technology • University-level projects, both general and language-specific • Georgia College and State University, see http://ipod.gcsu.edu/ • Duke University, see http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2005/12/ipodupdate.html and http://cit.duke.edu/ideas/newprofiles/merschel.do • Stanford University, see http://itunes.stanford.edu/ • Iowa State, see http://www.language.iastate.edu/main/podcast/
Methods for Using the Technology • University-level projects, both general and language-specific • https://segue.middlebury.edu/index.php?action=site&site=achapin-ipod • http://spanport.lss.wisc.edu/newsite/podcasts/
Methods for Using the Technology • Podcasts in K-12 schools • School and/or district information for families and community • Instructor-produced content for classes • Student-produced content, either for regular classes or for extracurricular projects • School events such as sports or music
Methods for Using the Technology • K-12 projects, both general and language-specific • http://ghs.gcs.k12.al.us/~gvaldez/index.htm, Spanish at Gadsden City HS, Alabama • http://www.intelligenic.com/forum/, The KidCast Forums, projects in various disciplines • http://chatt.hdsb.ca/%7Emagps/boylit/Podcasting%20in%20Education, Podcasting in Education • http://www.langwitches.org/links/podcast.htm, LangWitches.org, the Magic of Learning Languages through Technology
Sources of Content: General • Podcast directories are searchable and generally organized into subject matter categories • These directories are general but do include some Spanish-language podcasts • The Education Podcast Network, http://epnweb.org • Podcasting News, http://www.podcastingnews.com/ • Podcast.net, http://www.podcast.net
Sources of Content: General • General podcast directories, continued • Podcast Alley, http://www.podcastalley.com • The Podcast Network, http://www.thepodcastnetwork.com • iTunes Podcasts, www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/
Sources of Content: Spanish • Spanish-language podcasting still in early stages of development • Considerable growth in available podcasts just in last year • Directories below cover a variety of topics • http://www.podsonoro.com/ • http://www.podcastellano.com/ • http://www.elpodio.com/ • http://www.podcast.com.ar/ • http://www.podcastinguatemala.com/
Sources of Content: A Warning • Podcasts and vodcasts are easy and inexpensive to create • Anyone can and does publish them • Files containing adult content, extreme views, and inaccurate information are common • As with all online content, instructors must be cautious
Sources of Content: Suggestions • For many classes, instructor- and student-created podcasts have greater value than published files • Appropriate content is still difficult to find • Advanced or Superior proficiency level required for comprehension of most published files • Be aware of student Internet access limitations if iPods or MP3 players are not used • Dial-up service impedes access to many podcasts because of file size • Instructor- or student-created podcasts should be brief • Encourage use of school or university computers or burn files to CD
Creating Podcasts and Vodcasts • Hardware needed for podcasts • Digital audio recorder and microphone • Or, computer plus microphone • Or, microphone built into computer if available • Computer to upload files • Hardware needed for vodcasts • Webcam or digital video camera • Computer to upload files
Creating Podcasts and Vodcasts • Software needed for podcasts • Application to download the digital file from the recorder to the computer • Generally comes with the recorder • Application such as Audacity or Odeo to record directly to the computer if no recorder is used • File conversion application, such as iTunes, if needed • www.apple.com/itunes, free download • RSS server software for subscriptions • Open-source applications such as Drupal, www.drupal.org • Server software would be managed by IT staff • Subscription capability is not required
Creating Podcasts and Vodcasts • Record the content • Save the audio at maximum quality • Convert the file to MP3 format using iTunes or another application • Upload the MP3 file to a website or course management server • Test the file on a computer and on any MP3 player
Creating Podcasts and Vodcasts • Software needed for vodcasts • Screen capture applications such as • Camtasia • Apple QuickTime Pro • Windows Movie Maker, comes with Windows XP • These applications allow you to “capture” PowerPoints, digital video clips and photos, and your audio in one file
Creating Podcasts and Vodcasts • For a tutorial on creating podcasts, see the Webmonkey article “All the World’s a Podcast” by Michael Calore • http://www.webmonkey.com/webmonkey/05/52/index4a.html • See also the Podcasting News article, “Make Your First Podcast” • http://www.podcastingnews.com/articles/How-to-Podcast.html
Incorporating the Technology • Three ways to incorporate podcasts and vodcasts into curriculum • Those available for subscription or download online • Those created by the instructor • Those created by students
Incorporating the Technology • Previously published content • Individual podcast downloads or subscriptions • Authentic texts, generally for students at higher proficiency levels • Regular or supplemental content for upper-division courses • Interpretive communication activities • Current events, social, political, cultural topics • Regional variations in language for linguistics study Go to http://guisando.org/podcast/ for examples.
Incorporating the Technology • Instructor-produced content • More appropriate for Novice and Intermediate proficiency levels • Community members, upper-level or native-speaker students could provide content • Should be brief, with visual elements as appropriate • Pronunciation exercises • Mini-lessons on grammar concepts • Listening comprehension exercises • Cultural content presentations
Incorporating the Technology • Student-produced content • Interpersonal and presentational activities • Interviews or other conversational tasks • Story telling • Songs • Readers’ theater • Radio shows, newscasts • PowerPoint presentations with audio • Student self-assessment • Podcasts allow students to evaluate their own performances
Additional Resources Best, June. (June 20, 2005). Duke’s Free iPod Program Has Mixed Results. CNET News.com. Retrieved March 30, 2006 from http://news.com.com/Dukes+free+iPod+program+has+mixed+results/2100-1025_3-5754005.html. Blaisdell, Mikael. (2006). Academic MP3s: Is It Time Yet? CampusTechnology, March, 38-50. Calore, Michael. (December 16, 2005). All the World’s a Podcast. Webmonkey. Retrieved April 15, 2006 from http://www.webmonkey.com/webmonkey/05/52/index4a.html. (December 5, 2005). Duke Sees Growth in Classroom iPod Use. Retrieved April 15, 2006 from http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2005/12/ipodupdate.html. Make Your First Podcast. Podcasting News. Retrieved April 16, 2006 from http://www.podcastingnews.com/articles/How-to-Podcast.html. Terdima, Daniel. (November 3, 2005). Stanford Using iTunes to Take Lectures Global. CNET News.com. Retrieved March 30, 2006 from http://news.com.com/Stanford+using+iTunes+to+take+lectures+global/2100-1041_3-5931232.html.
