Office of Academic Programs
Presentations
Podcasting
A podcast is a series of audio or video files to which users can subscribe. The subscription feature is what differentiates a podcast from other web-accessible audio or video files. Really Simple Syndication or RSS provides the subscription service. When a user subscribes s/he does so through a service. Google Reader, iTunes, and your browser's live bookmarks are examples of these services.
To find existing podcasts, see the free resources page.
This page describes a variety of options for instructors and students who wish to create and post podcasts. Be aware that there may be FERPA issues involved in posting to a website not controlled by UNCG.
Creating and posting a podcast requires:
- An audio or video file in a format viewable on the web.
- A place to put your files
- A file that enables users to subscribe – the RSS (Really Simple Syndication) file.
- A way for users to subscribe
Small Business Podcasting Kit (pdf; just 9 large-print pages of reading with links) - nice introduction to requirements of podcasting.
Simplest options
| Tool | Advantages | Disadvantages | Help Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackboard podcast tool | -no FERPA problem -provides subscription service -handles multiple formats |
-instructor must post student podcasts (could do without subscription and have students post to the discussion board, blog, or wiki. | Bb Podcast tutorial |
| Podomatic - web tool |
-easy for students to do -less time-intensive for instructors |
-FERPA issues - requires students' written consent. -better quality when podcast is created with other software and then uploaded to Podomatic. -no way to make the podcast private; can always be found by searching Podomatic. |
Podomatic tutorial |
| Jing Project - web tool |
-easy for students to do -less time-intensive for instructors |
-FERPA issues - requires students' written consent. -can post online to screencast.com automatically and is public. (Can be posted privately to Blackboard with help from an HHP ITC.) |
Jing Project tutorials |
Podomatic (Be sure to read the Terms of Service.)
- claims to accept audio and video files of almost any format.
- podcasts reside on the Podomatic site.
- podcast file format outputs
- flash video for web viewing
- mp4 for video download
- mp3 for audio
- size limit for any one podcast is 350 MBs with 500 MBs total
See How to post a podcast on Podomatic.
Notes:
- Quality is better if the podcast is created offline and then uploaded.
- These formats are not supported for upload: .vob .ram .rm .aup .flv .cda .itl .wpl .m3u .pmf .mht .asf .pict .mswmm .
- Photostory files are not supported.
- Narrated PowerPoint is not supported.
- Output formats are usually Flash and MP4 (video) and MP3 (audio).