1.

Podcasting
A podcast is a digital audio file, often in mp3 format, that can be downloaded off the
Internet to be played on a mobile device or computer. While there are many methods for
creating a podcast, one will be presented in depth below, while another will be mentioned
in #2.
Special Features
• There are many options for creating a podcast
• Video broadcasts may also be referred to as podcasts, or vodcasts
Strengths
• Podcasting gives everyone a voice (Macworld)
• Podcasts are typically free (Macworld)
• Podcasts can be used as a supplement to lessons (Pastore)
• Podcasts can be downloaded at any time (Pastore)
• Podcasts can be listened to remotely (Feldstein)
Weaknesses
• Podcasting takes a lot of time and commitment (Stephens)
• Podcasters must be aware of copyright issues (Stephens)
• Podcasts are difficult to use as references (Macworld)
• Podcasts are not interactive (Pastore)
• Podcasts often have low production values (Macworld)

2. Another way of producing a podcast:

gabcast
Gabcast is a low maintenance way of producing a podcast. Users can record podcasts
using a phone or VoIP and let gabcast do all the formatting and posting. Phone recording
costs $.10/minute, while VoIP recording is free. While this service makes podcasting
incredibly easy, there is one negative aspect of this service, which is the lack of editing
tools. So, the only part this service has in common with a typical podcast recording is the
desired result: a podcast posted on the internet.

3. Ways to use podcasting in the LMC curriculum:

• Students can create their own audiobooks
• Students and LMSs can record booktalks
• Students can record their own author or character interviews
All of these recordings can either be placed on iPods if the LMC has the equipment to
circulate or they may be uploaded into the library catalog and students or teachers can
access them when viewing the related source.

4. Example of a student podcast:

http://www.spl.org/Audio/Teens/TCASeattlePI.mp3
"This podcast was created by the Library's Teen Center Advisors, a volunteer advisory
group of high school students ages 14 - 18. The TCAs review books, maintain a MySpace
page for the library, plan and volunteer at library events, and generally help shape
programs and services for teens. They will also create and post regular podcasts, which
may be book reviews, discussions - anything they come up with. In this episode, Jennifer
reviews "Forever Changes" by Brenda Halpin. Then Teen Center Advisors discuss the
recent demise of the local Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper, which has now moved to
a web-only format. They share how they get their news, and what they think this means
for the future of journalism."
Example of a LMS podcast:
http://www.hopkintonschools.org/hhs/library/podcasts/Boy.mp3
Isinglass Teen Read Award Booktalks Hopkinton High School & Hopkinton Middle
School Library
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, podcast published 11/13/09

5. Video Slide 1 Introduction to podcasting

Video Slide 2 Planning a podcast
Video Slide 3 Equipment and settings
Video Slide 4 Setting up an account
Video Slide 5 Recording a podcast
Video Slide 6 What to do with a record

6. Final Comment
When it comes to the LMC, gabcast may be a more realistic option than Ustream for all
single-person projects. However, Ustream should be used for anything that involves more
than one person because recording on a phone will become incredibly complicated with
multiple individuals. The reason that I feel that gabcast is the better choice has to do with
the realities of the LMC environment and equipment. Ustream may require that the LMS
purchase a microphone and/or camera, which may not be an option with many of the
shrinking budgets that are plaguing LMCs currently. Also, to record a podcast onto
Ustream with high audio quality, the level of noise in the room needs to be incredibly low
and this is definitely a challenge in any LMC, whereas the LMS can record on a phone
anywhere e.g. car, storage closet. One other factor is the usability of the two podcast
options. To use gabcast, LMSs need only to know how to use a phone, but there is a bit of
a learning curve with Ustream that involves setting up equipment and adjusting
audio/video settings.

7. References
Feldstein, Michael. "Apple Visit, Day 1." e-Literate. N.p., 9 Feb. 2006. Web. 21 Feb.
2010. <http://mfeldstein.com/apple_visit_day_1/>.

Pastore, Ray. "Students’ Perceptions of Podcasts in the Classroom." International Journal

of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning. International Journal of Instructional
Technology & Distance Learning, Dec. 2008. Web. 21 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Dec_08/article04.htm>.

"Separating the signal from the noise." Macworld. Mac Publishing, 1 July 2005. Web. 21
Feb. 2010.
<http://www.macworld.com/article/45595/2005/07/podcasting.html>.

Stephens, Michael. "All About Podcasting." Library Media Connection 25.5 (2007): 54-
7. Library Lit & Inf Full Text. Web. 21 Feb. 2010.
<http://cwplib.proxy.liu.edu/ login?url=http://vnweb. hwwilsonweb.com.cwplib.proxy.
liu.edu/hww/jumpstart.jhtml? recid= 0bc05f7a67b1790ec2704167a48af7
d00d0cb732bf555337bb3b1aa3d756 468c042bfe3f1eb992ee&fmt=H>

Watson, Stephanie. "How Podcasting Works." HowStuffWorks. Discovery

Communications, 27 Aug. 2007. Web. 25 Feb. 2010.
<http://computer.howstuffworks.com/podcasting.htm>.