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Monday, November 28, 2011

Podcasting: Can You Hear Me? Loud and Clear!

A podcast is a succession of audio or video digital media files that can be downloaded and played on a player such as an iPod.  To be honest, I've only listened to a podcast for class and in truth, it bored me to tears.  The reason?  It was an hour long and the monotone voices were too much to bear.  However, not all podcasts are boring.  Although anyone with an audio file and an internet can make a podcast, it appears that there is an art to successful podcasting.  Here is what I have learned:

  • Make it short (20 minutes is good).
  • Do NOT ramble or talk about your "technical difficulties".  We all have them.  I want to hear what you have to say about the topic.
  • Check out PodCast Awards (http://podcastawards.com/) for the highest rated podcasts, all separated by category.
  • Keep in mind your audience.

According to Ashley Deal in Podcasting.  A Teaching with Technology White Paper. from EDUCAUSE, "Many students perceive lecture podcasts as a tool for review, rather than as a replacement for attending lectures".  I tend to disagree somewhat.  If a student is sick, why can't he or she listen/watch the podcast to help make up for it?  Maybe follow it with a summary of the podcast.
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1 comment:

  1. AnjooDecember 5, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    In my opinion, podcasts are 'audio bloggs'. In other words, I tend to look at podcasts as bloggs with audio effects. In that respect it can be more interesting rather reading a plain text. After all, listening to someone is usually more enjoyable and personal than just reading.
    But, I also agree with you that very long podcasts can become boring. Further the podcasts may turn out to be difficult to understand if they are recorded improperly or even if they are of bad audio quality. Understanding the person's expressions or accent can be another issue to think about when listening to a podcast.
    Nevertheless, I think a podcast made with good audio quality and along with clarity of thoughts can be enjoyable whether it is to be used for educational purpose or of just entertainment!

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