Here is what I came up for my recent talk on podcasting at DePaul University. Podcasting is a simple concept in some ways, yet I struggle to clearly communicate what it is and how it differs from previous technology. As I did this talk I realized at, while my brain is always spinning with new ideas on how to incorporate technology into what I do, add functionality to my blog, and promote my podcast, I had never had to sit down and clearly communicate these ideas to people.

I do a lot of teaching, and during this teaching I have not problem babbling on in an at least semi-articulate manner, but that is on a subject that I am extremely familiar with and familiar in teaching. Maybe some people can teach anything, but I am not sure if that is a skill that I possess. Or maybe it just takes time. In any case, it was fun to see people clicking around and discovering what was out there in the world of podcasting.

Anyway, here is what I handed out to the class. To me, these podcasts are a good combination of fun and educational podcasts (I subscribe to all of them myself).
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Introduction to Podcasting

What is Podcasting?

Podcasting is a method of distributing audio and video files over the internet. Virtually all podcasts are free. The thing that makes podcasting special is the listener’s ability to subscribe to the content. When listeners find a show they like, they can click a subscribe button (in iTunes or on a webpage) to get this content automatically delivered, much like a newspaper is delivered daily to a subscriber’s front door. Many radio and TV shows on major networks are now being distributed as a podcast, and there is a wealth (over 40,000 different shows) of independently produced material available as well.

How to listen to a podcast:

1) visit the podcast’s webpage – all podcasts will have an option to listen to the show right from their website

2) subscribe – using iTunes (or another podcast aggregator), type the name of the show into the iTunes Store search box. Then click the button that says ‘subscribe’ next to the name of the show, and you’re all set! Shows can then be transferred to your iPod or any other MP3 player.

Popular Shows also available as a podcast:

This American Life, Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg, All Things Considered, Ebert & Roeper, Meet The Press, and most NPR programming

Independent Podcasts to check out:

Mark Gura and Kathy King of Fordham University explore the world of educational technology in this weekly show. This show is always full of great resources.

This five minute daily video podcast covers a variety of topics. This is a fun and very popular podcast.

Adam Kempenar and Sam Van Halgren do a wonderful show about modern and classic cinema. This show has been picked up by Chicago’s WBEZ and is broadcast the last Saturday of each month on 91.5 FM.

If you haven’t seen this, you’re really missing out. Extremely popular and extremely funny.

This is a great example of what is called iTunes enhanced podcasting. There are images, text, and links that appear onscreen along with the podcast in these enhanced podcasts.

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