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Creating Better Podcasts

Dan Medakovic, OperitelRichard Nantel, Brandon Hall

Research

September 26, 1:15 p.m.

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So Many Questions…• What is a podcast?• Why have they become popular?• Why use them for learning?• What software/hardware do you need?• What are the steps to produce, publish,

and subscribe to a podcast?• Tips, tricks, and resources• Integrating podcasting into learning

architecture

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What Is a Podcast?• iPod + Broadcasting = Podcasting• Usually audio (but not always)• Syndication/subscription

(always)

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Why Have PodcastsBecome Popular?

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Why Have PodcastsBecome Popular?

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Why Use Podcasts for Learning

Podcasting Options

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Audacity / Freeware apps

ProTools LE / Mbox

Phone in Services

Professional Audio Production Facility / Marketing & Communications Co.

Garage Band (Mac)

Cubase/Vegas/Cakewalk etc. Web Based V/O Services

1000’s

Free

100’s

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DIY- What You Need (Audio Podcast)

Text

Zoom H2 Microphone ($200)

Audacity (Free)

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Podcasting Workflow

RSS

mp3

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Let’s Record!

Let’s Edit!

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Let’s Publish! (A few options)

Use a commercial hosting service(Easy and low-cost)

Upload it to a Blog(Easy and free!)

Host your own podcasts(Medium easy and free!)

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Creating the RSS file<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/DTDs/Podcast-1.0.dtd" version="2.0"><channel> <title>Brandon Hall Research Podcasts</title> <itunes:author>Richard Nantel</itunes:author> <itunes:link rel="image" type="video/jpeg" href="http://brandon-hall.com/richardnantel/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/

rnwordpress.jpg">Richard Nantel</itunes:link> <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit> <category>Audio Blogs</category> <link>http://www.brandon-hall.com/podcasts/podcasts.shtml</link> <description>Listen to Brandon Hall Research podcasts to for the latest research about learning and talent

management.</description> <language>en-us</language> <copyright>All rights reserved</copyright> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2007 01:36:27 GMT</lastBuildDate> <ttl>60</ttl> <item> <title>Richard Test Podacst</title> <link>http://www.brandon-hall.com/podcasts/test.mp3</link> <itunes:author>Richard Nantel</itunes:author> <category>Audio Blogs</category> <itunes:duration>00:09</itunes:duration> <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit> <description> (Running Time 00:09)</description> <pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2007 01:30:24 GMT</pubDate> <enclosure url="http://www.brandon-hall.com/podcasts/test.mp3" length="145113" type="audio/mpeg"/> </item></channel></rss>

Free RSS Generators• http://www.applytools.com/cgi-bin/sa

/podcast/podcast.cgi

• http://www.tdscripts.com/webmaster_utilities/podcast-generator.php

• http://podcastgen.sourceforge.net/

Online Resources

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Name Description URL Cost

Audio Bag Royalty free music.

Pro. Intro/Outro with Music

http://audiobag.com/ $7-$29 / music clip

$57 / $77 (both)

ClickCaster Podcast publishing/hosting site.

Support audio and video podcasts.

http://www.clickcaster.com/ Free - $29.99 / mo.

GabCast Podcasting service. Let’s you phone in your audio.

http://www.gabcast.com/ Free- $12/mo/channel

Software/Hardware• Audacity – Free, Open Source audio

recording and editing software• audacity.sourceforge.net

• Garage Band – Free on new Macintosh• Pro Tools LE and M Box hardware $400

• www.digidesign.com

• Microphone - $100 (get a metal one)• Recommend SURE SM57

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Integrating Podcasts into Learning Architecture

• Simply create a PodCast area on your website with RSS feed or include in Blogs, Wikis, etc. (one to many)

• Use a Document Library such as SharePoint

• Rich search, meta data, content management• Audience Targeting• One to many groups

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Integrating Podcasts into Learning Architecture

• Assign them to learners via an LMS• Target community, region, location, business unit, job

position, competency• Include link in course registration message• Use a self-assessment button to track completion • Create a short post-assessment to test

comprehension• Include them in blended Learning Tracks (podcast

assigned upon Success or Failure of Learning Event)• Sell them via E-Commerce engine

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Audio Tips•Start with the best source recording•You can hear the room – avoid large rooms,

reflective/hard surfaces•Use a good microphone and audio interface•Use a pop-screen•Use a mic stand (table top or boom stand)•Watch your levels•Normalize your audio

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Audio Tips Cont’d

•Think of quality production values:–Interesting, dynamically varied voice(s)

–Imagine the audience (perform, don’t just read)

–Include musical breaks/intros22