Thing 5 Podcasts

In 2005, "podcast" was named the "word of the year" by New Oxford American Dictionary and with the growth of podcasting over the last few years, it's easy to see why.
Podcasts take many forms, from short 1-10 minutes commentaries (like the podcasts that have been created for this Learning 2.0 program) to much longer talks, interviews, group discussions etc. There’s a podcast out there for just about every interest area and the best part about this technology is that you don’t have to have an iPod or a MP3 player to access them.
Since podcasts use the MP3 file format, a popular compressed format for audio files, you really just need a PC (or portal device) with headphones or a speaker. iTunes, the free downloadable application created by Apple, is the directory finding service most associated with podcasts, but if you don’t have iTunes installed there are still plenty of options.

Discovery Rescources:
Have a look at the Blog created by Podcasting Ireland which explains podcasting.

This short video presentation (by Common Craft) also explains podcasting.


Some podcast directories:
http://www.podcastingireland.ie/
http://www.podcastdirectory.com/
www.learnoutloud.com/podcast-directory

Optional advanced resources: (for those who want to learn how to create a podcast of their own)
Beginner's guide to Podcasts & Creating Podcasts
How to podcast tutorial

Mailing List:

JISCmail also have a podcasting mailing list which is designed to foster a network for researchers and practitioners working with podcasting in any subject area within higher learning institutions.

Discovery Exercise:
1. View this short video demonstrating how to make a podcast by Joan O'Sullivan a Language Centre Teacher, in the School of Languages, Literature, Culture and Communication, .

2. Take a look at itunes or one or two of the podcast directories listed above and see if you can find a podcast that interests you.
Have a listen to podcasts which were created by Stephen Kinsella, lecturer in the Department of Economics, Kemmy Business School, for his students.

3. Do a search for your favourite radio station and find a podcast that interests you, for example have a look at RTE radio.

4. Add the RSS feed for a podcast to your Bloglines account.

5. Finally, create a blog post about your discovery process. Did you find anything useful here?

Optional: If you're very ambitious, why not try down loading Audacity and create a podcast of your own and then add it to your blog.
Note:
Click on download Audacity 1.3.6 (Beta)
Lame MP3 Encoder will allow you to convert your recording into an MP3 file.