• Using Podcasts in Academics
• Tools for Podcasting

In its most basic form, Podcasting is a way of delivering course content, usually audio, to students on the internet. While there are several way to send students audio content, podcasting uses a subscription based system. Without getting too technical, podcasting employs RSS (Real Simple Syndication) as it's subscription method, the same system used by blogs and websites to send content to their readers.

A podcast works like a magazine subscription. You can go the the newsstand and buy a copy of "Time", or you can subscribe to "Time" and get it delivery to you. The first method you have to remember to buy it every week, in the second it is delivered to you automatically.

Podcasting works the same way. Instead of students remembering to visit your website or Blackboard to listen to the new audio content, they simply "subscribe" to your podcast once, and they will have your audio content delivered to their computer every time you create a new recording.

By automating the process students are more included to listen to the content because it is delivered to their computer automatically. Not unlike an individual sitting down to read a magazine if it comes in the mail vs. forgetting to stop by the newsstand to buy it every week.

To start a podcast you need two things. The first is a properly formated XML file. The XML file is the bridge between an MP3 file and your audience. An XML file is a text file. An XML file designed for podcasting needs to be formated to provide an RSS Feed to anyone that subscribes. Once this file is formatted correctly and your audience subscribes, they will automatically be updated with new content when you make it available. It is up to you to maintain the xml file.

The second thing you need is the content you are sending out (an mp3 audio file for example.) You will need to have your audio recording converted to an MP3, WMA or AAC before you make it available for download. Do not use .wav or .aif audio files for podcasting.

Audio files such as MP3 and AAC aren't the only file types that you can podcast.

While not nearly as developed as audio podcasting, video podcasting is growing. Apple has taken the lead technically speaking on video podcasting and it is generally accepted that the video file format that plays back on iPods, .m4a and MP4 is the standard. If you are looking to podcast videos know that no true standard exists.

You can also podcast PDF files. Instead of having your students go to your website to download a PDF of your PowerPoint presentation, or syllabus, you can send it to them in a podcast. This allows your students to have important documents delivered right to their computer with having to go search for the document.

For your students to listen to your podcast they will need software that can read the xml file and translate it into something useful, i.e. read it and download the correct audio file. This software is used to "subscribe" to your podcast.

Creighton University supports iTunes, which allows a student to both "subscribe" to a podcast and playback the audio file in the same interface. There are other applications that you can use to subscribe to a podcast, iTunes is not the only one.

Using Podcasts in Academics

There are podcasts on nearly every popular topic it seems, but how does podcasting fit into academics. This page will give you a few ideas on how you might intergrate podcasting into your course design.

Tools for Podcasting

Podcasting is about making it easier for the audience to get content, but what about the people making podcasts? Here are a few tools that will help make podcasting a little easier.

A Short Tutorial on Writing an RSS Feed for a Podcast