Podcasting School PN. (KS4) October 2009
Amanda Light Creative & Media SCITT
What are Podcasts?
A podcast is a series of sound files.
Podcasts are something that you can subscribe to and are usually in a series, i.e. BBC Podcasts.
You can set up a link between itunes and BBC podcasts: Click on ‘Subscribe to Podcast’, and then copy and paste the link of the podcast you wish to subscribe to. (N.B. Usually ends in rss.xml).
Creating/Teaching how to make a podcast:
Podcasting usually takes longer to create than you’d think!
A 1-minute podcast is a good task for students in order for them to learn all the mistakes that can be made. Then a 3-minute podcast is an ideal goal.
TIP: Save regularly!
Audacity – a simple program. Often used in schools. Free to download.
Audacity is used to mix in backing music and add other sound tracks.
Other equipment – microphone and head-phones.
Microphone – plug in, and network usually finds it.
Click on – PROJECT – IMPORT AUDIO
Copyright issues with backing music. Serious penalties for using a track without permission (even if just for a student project).
However, can use:
However, can use:
www.freeplaymusic.com - use free of charge! Can preview it, and download 30 or 60 second tracks in MP3 format. Save into podcast file or desktop or other.
Alternatively, you can write to a production company/artist and seek permission to use their music.
Using Audacity:
Can highlight a section and press delete if want it shorter.
Effect – fade in, fade out.
Highlight and press Effect – Amplify, and it will be quieter, in order to use speech over the top.
Copy and paste – to repeat sequences.
To record the voice, just press the record button and speak into the microphone.
If you speak too closely to the microphone the breath keeps hitting it. It’s also a common fault to speak too quickly. It’s a good idea to have a script.
If there are multiple voices, it is better to use the same computer and microphone in order to be consistent with the sound levels.
Highlight and click on move button to put speech where you want it in the music.
*Make sure you can download MP3s in schools.
To play the podcast as a music file it has to be exported:
MP3 – compresses it so makes it easier to export, i.e. by email.
WAV file – good for windows, but HUGE! Just need to save it. But, it is slow to save and slow to share it because it is 10x bigger than an MP3. However, it is better quality than MP3, and is what is used for professional programmes.
Either way, it is now 1 track so the component parts can no longer be broken down. Can cut it up, but not alter the sounds, etc.
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