Podcasting 101

The WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHERE & HOW of a Podcast put simply by Christina Noyes…

What is a Podcast?
A Podcast is an episodic program with audio or video content that is automatically delivered via the Internet using a XML protocol called Real Simple Syndication (RSS). The broadcaster Podcast the program by posting the episodes and the XML document to a Web server.

When you subscribe to a Podcast, iTunes reads the XML file and downloads the latest episode. Each day, iTunes rereads the XML file. If a new episode is available, iTunes downloads it automatically. With a click of the mouse, the consumer can subscribe to a particular Podcast and then access it using an iPod, PDA, laptop, or a desktop computer. It is extremely accessible by all!

Check out the first podcast of EasyBabySafe.com



There is a wide-range of educational content being developed for and delivered by podcasting. Podcasting offers compelling characteristics:

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The cost of distribution is limited to the cost of data transfer.
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The XML document that ties the Podcast together is simpler to create and maintain than most web pages.
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The RSS protocol helps facilitate an ongoing, opt-in, and highly convenient relationship with the subscriber.
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The size of the channel is effectively unlimited therefore can’t be dominated by any other publisher or broadcaster.

Who uses instructional Podcast?

Institutions can support learning by distributing Podcast across their company’s campuses through their Intranet servers. Workers can instantly download a Podcast when a situation on the job arrises.

Educators can publish their Podcast files as an attachment to a Weblog, which is much like attaching a file to an email message.

Multiple universities Podcast using iTunes, including Princeton, Yale, and Boston University. There is even a Podcast called UCTV (University of California Television.)

Where can I find Podcast?
Podcast are on plenty of Websites. However, a good place start would be in the Podcast section of your iTunes Store directory where a wide selection of Podcast are laid out by categories and accompanied by visuals. You can also use the Search field in the iTunes Store. After you search, make sure you click PODCAST to only show Podcast. Once you subscribe to a Podcast, the files will live in your Podcast section of your iTunes Library where you can manage and play all of your episodes that you have downloaded.

It's easy to subscribe to any Podcast using iTunes, even ones that aren't available in the iTunes Store. To subscribe to non-iTunes Podcast, find and copy the podcast's feed URL. In the "Advanced" menu, select "Subscribe to Podcast" and paste the feed URL into the dialog box.

You can also submit a Podcast for distribution to the Apple directory and your Podcast might even become sponsored for free on the iTunes site. All you have to do is provide the Podcast feed URL for review.

All of the best radio stations have daily and weekly Podcast. Check out NPR Podcast Directory, which distributes a brilliant amount of Podcast for the bright minded citizen.

You can also find a collection of Podcast organized by categories & interest at podcast.net

What I have found to be the most popular amongst people I know are the foreign language Podcast. It is a simple way to review when you are waiting around and have nothing better to do.


How can I create a Podcast?
If you are on a Mac, creating a Podcast is easy. You can use Mac's easy to learn iLife Suite software of Garage Band, iMovie & iWeb. Beware, their Podcast are in a QuickTime format. Some users, (PC-types), don’t have QT & will not be able to view your Podcast with out downloading QT first.

If you are on a PC, you can also use a free software programs to record your Podcast called Audacity.
It is a popular program for recording and editing Podcast and it's available for both Windows and Mac.

Then you will need an MP3 encoder, which converts your Podcast into an MP3 file. A popular free encoder is the LAME MP3 Encoder.

iTunes for Mac and PC can also convert recordings to MP3 for free.

If you are creating just an audio Podcast you can use your computer’s microphone or you can get a microphone for your iPod to record your voice. You can include a series of slides to accompany your voice. However, most people prefer to watch video podcasting. So you will probably need a video camera of some sort. Because it is for the Web, the quality of the video camera is not important.

Happy Casting~

For more info on Podcasting, go to Christina's site Podcasting 101.