DIIA Podcast Project Team

"Podcasting Palooza Packs a Punch"

2006-05-03T06:38:00.000-05:00

Claudia Snowden of DIIA's Communications group did a beautiful job in her article about the Podcasting Palooza. The article has just been posted to the DIIA Web site, and contains a link to the archived webcast. The photo is by Glenda Sims. Thank you, guys!

See: Podcasting Palooza Packs a Punch

Podcast Palooza!

2006-04-19T13:04:00.000-05:00

L to R: Diane Gierisch (UT Web Office), Libby Peterek (iSchool), Maria Henderson (Apple), Amy Miller (DIIA). Photo by Glenda Sims.

The Podcast Palooza was a blast. Maria Henderson gave an impressive presentation of the new podcast-creation features in iLife '06, Andy Wisner gave out some very cool t-shirts ("It's like having a Prof in your pocket", with a picture of an iPod), we webcast the event, and the room was buzzing afterwards -- people did not want to leave!

Here's what our invitation looked like:
You're invited to join in a collaborative Podcasting Palooza--showcasing the fast-emerging trend of podcasting and its uses in education. Come watch a demo and see how easy it is to use podcasting to impact learning. Find out how quickly you can build and publish your own digital content. Bring your own Mac with iLife '06 if you have it and want to work "hands on," or simply come by to watch the demo. Space is limited, so get there early for a good seat.

Podcasting Palooza
Thursday, April 13, 2006
9:30 -- 11:00 a.m.
COM 8

Co-hosts: Amy Miller (DIIA), Diane Gierisch (UT Web office), Libby Peterek (iSchool)
Presenter: Maria Henderson, Apple Computer
Sponsor: Andy Wisner, Apple Computer

We look forward to seeing you there!

Podcasting and iTunes: Tech Specs

2006-02-11T18:53:00.000-06:00

From QuickTime News: February 10, 2006:

Need help getting your podcast iTunes-ready? See the Podcasting and iTunes: Technical Specifications for answers to file types, RSS feeds, how to get your podcast featured on the iTunes Music Store, adding episodes, removing or blocking your feed, tracking usage and all your other burning podcast questions.

This is handy stuff; wish I'd stumbled across it sooner.

Podcasting now built in to Garageband 3

2006-02-10T14:18:00.000-06:00

Garageband 3, Apple's latest version of it's audio recording software, now has support for podcasting. In addition to recording audio, you can also add an artwork track and some use additional filters to help sweeten the audio. You can also record interviews directly from iChat. Garageband 3 is part of the iLife 06 bundle which includes, iMovie HD, iDVD and iPhoto and iWeb.
Garageband 3

PowerPoint file from DaPR meeting

2006-01-31T14:03:00.000-06:00

There seemed to be some interest about the slides from last Thursday's DaPR meeting. Please feel free to download the presentation. And, as always, let us know of any problems or solutions you find.

Happy Podcasting!

Creating Video Podcasts on Mac OS X

2006-01-29T21:53:00.000-06:00

Creating Video Podcasts on Mac OS X gives easy to follow, step-by-step instruction using QuickTime 7, a Firewire video camera (like iSight), and an RSS feed provider like FeedBurner. Nice.

URLs from DaPR Mtg, 1/26/2006

2006-01-26T11:03:00.000-06:00

The UT Designer and Programmer Resource (DaPR) group met this morning, and we were asked to give a brief presentation on the topic of "Podcasting at UT Austin". Great audience, good questions, we had fun. URLs from our talk are below. Those from DIIA who presented: Amy Miller, Libby Peterek, Stephanie Weiler, Carolyn Thomas. Also attending was UT's new Apple representative, Andy Wisner, who talked about iTunes U.

DIIA Project Team blog:
http://diiapodcast.blogspot.com/

DIIA Podcasting website:
http://www.utexas.edu/academic/diia/podcast/

DIIA Teaching and Learning Podcast feed:
http://www.utexas.edu/academic/diia/podcast/teachlearn.xml

Creating and Maintaining a Campus RSS Feed:
http://www.utexas.edu/learn/rss/

iTunes U:
http://www.apple.com/education/solutions/itunes_u/

New media?

2006-01-25T17:20:00.000-06:00

TiVO is currently offering a trial service that allows broadband-connected users to watch the Rocketboom vodcast through TiVo Video Download. They're currently soliciting other video bloggers to participate in their TiVo Videoblog Project.

San Francsico's KYOURadio Open Source Radio re-broadcasts author-contributed podcasts at 1550 KYCY AM. Interestingly, KYOURadio does not offer an RSS or XML feed on their Web site.

Resources: Planning your podcast or vodcast

2006-01-25T16:32:00.000-06:00

In my earlier post I list a few examples of what people are podcasting or vodcasting about. Here are a few sites with advice on where to start when planning your own:

Choosing a Topic for Your Podcast
http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/03-choosing-a-topic-for-your-podcast.htm

Choosing a Format for Your Podcast
http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/05-choosing-your-podcast-format.htm

Planning Your Podcast Recording Session
http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/garageband/gb3-2.html

What kinds of podcasts and vodcasts are people creating?

2006-01-25T14:31:00.000-06:00

One of the greatest challenges (for me, at least) in creating a new podcast or vodcast has nothing to do with technology--it's deciding on a topic. While the possiblities of what you can talk about are endless, here are a few examples I've found on what other people are talking about:

Current Events

You can hear top news, commentary, and reports on popular culture--sometimes all from the same source:

Rocketboom (Web site) (feed info)

or let the world know about current developments from within your own organization:

The University of Chicago: Research at Chicago (Web) (feed info)

Culture

Enjoy a slice of life through biographical sketches of an individual or subculture you maybe never considered before:

Fly With Me (Web site) (feed)

or focus on one of your personal interests:

Travel with Rick Steves (Web site) (feed)
Eat/Feed (Web site) (feed)

Professional development

Get career advice:

Management Tools (Web site) (feed)

or keep on top of developments in your field:

The New Jersey Legal Update Podcast (Web site) (feed)

Teaching and training

Others are syndicating recordings of traditional lectures:

Computer Science E-1: Understanding Computers and the Internet (Web site) (feed)
(NOTE! Please consider the FERPA guidelines before distributing recordings of course lectures)

and distributing supplemental educational materials:

English as a Second Language Podcast (Web site) (feed)
The Princeton Review's Vocab Minute Podcast (Web site) (feed)

as well as sharing tips and tricks for software applications:

Dr. Photoshop (Web site) (feed)

Because RSS enclosures allow you to distribute any type of file, you can distribute materials like PDF handouts and PowerPoint presentations along with your audio and movie files:

The FrenchPodClass (Web site) (feed)

Tell me more, tell me more

What sorts of podcasts and vodcasts are you subscribing to?

The next big thing

2006-01-24T15:56:00.000-06:00

"The next big thing is the one that makes the last big thing usable."
Blake Ross, co-creator of the Mozilla Firefox browser

Learn to Podcast: Apple Video Tutorial Podcasts

2006-01-19T23:15:00.000-06:00

Apple has posted some short video tutorial podcasts on learning to podcast. They cover topics like "Creating Your Own Podcast", "Making a Video Podcast", "Enhancing Your Podcast Episode with Artwork and Chapters". You can subscribe to these via the iTunes Music Store, or just go to the web site and watch them there. Cool.

iPods on the Road.

2005-12-14T08:59:00.000-06:00

Now that you've subscribed to lots of podcasts, wouldn't it be great to listen to them on your car stereo on that long holiday road trip? Have you ever actually tried to integrate your iPod with your car stereo? Well, as many of us who own vehicles have already found, many of the currently available technologies are frustrating at best. There are numerous FM transmitter gadgets and "cassette adapters" that have been out for a while, but how well do they actually work?

Well, I for tried the cassette adapter approach in my Toyota (yes, it actually came with a cassette deck). The adapter is the size of a standard audio cassette with a 1/8" mini-plug that connects to the headphone jack of your mp3 player or iPod. It only cost about 20 bucks and it does in fact play audio through the car stereo system. The sound quality is not very good. There's a bit of noise from the cassette mechanism that is audible along with a bit of static. Because mp3s are a compressed audio format to begin with, this additional noise doesn't make for the most compelling listening experience.

Other devices such as the iTrip use a FM transmitter that connects to the iPod device and transmits the audio wirelessly using an FM frequency band on your car stereo. I haven't used one of these but thought about it until a few friends advised me of their limited performance. To me, this approach is like using a Mr. Microphone. Being a bit of a musician and audio afficonado, I decided I wanted a much better solution for integrating the iPod with my vehicle.

The Alpine KCA-420i is an audio interface designed specifically for integrating the iPod with an Alpine car stereo system. I purchased a compatible Alpine car stereo CDA-9853 and the KCA-420i and had them professionally installed. The iPod connects directly to a separate dock cable that is hidden in the glove box. This cable actually recharges the iPod as you drive and transfers audio directly through the dock connector. The iPod menus and playlists are now all accessible through the menus on the car stereo. You can search by album, artist, song or playlist. The sound is terrific because the car stereo has special filters and eq settings that compensate for the mp3 compression. You can select the iPod as another input source just as you would select the FM tuner for radio or CD player.

Unfortunately this method is the most expensive. The iPod interface is about $100.00, plus the car stereo which can run from 200.00 and up ( way up for systems that include satellite radio or DVD video systems), not to mention the installation costs. IMO, however, it is the slickest, best sounding solution.

DIIA Teaching and Learning Podcast Launched!

2005-12-05T14:36:00.000-06:00

The DIIA Teaching and Learning Podcast web site and RSS feed were officially launched on December 1, 2005.

DIIA Teaching and Learning Podcast (home page)
DIIA Teaching and Learning Podcast (RSS feed)

And you can subscribe through the iTunes Music Store, too.

iPod 101

2005-12-05T14:07:00.000-06:00

From Mathew Honan of Playlist, 2005-12-05, writing about Apple's new iPod 101 web site:

The site, iPod 101, is aimed at introducing new customers to the popular handheld device while helping existing owners max out their iPod. The site walks users through all types of iPods as well as the accompanying iTunes software.

Java Posse Podcasts

2005-12-01T08:17:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Dave Campbell for passing on this newsbit about The Java Posse podcasts, which include news and interviews about all things Java-related. Check out the Javacast Archives, too; some good content there as well.

The Java Posse podcasts made the "New and Notable" list on iTunes back in October, and you can find instructions on how to subscribe to their feed via iTunes in the Sept. 23 and Sept. 26 entries.

How to Record a Podcast Interview

2005-10-17T07:55:00.000-05:00

How to Record a Podcast Interview by Glenn Fleishman -- Podcasting interviews involve two distinct tasks. First you have to record the audio and prepare it for listening. Then you need to syndicate it via RSS so others can subscribe to your programs. In this tutorial, Glenn Fleishman shows you some nifty tricks for recording your audio, especially if you want to capture phone interviews for syndication.

Video iPod Announced.

2005-10-12T13:00:00.000-05:00

Well, the long rumored video iPod was officially announced earlier today along with a new version of iTunes, 6.0 There still aren't any specification listed on Apple's website but it looks to the same size as the full-sized iPods. I'm curious about the how long the batteries will actually last.

Full article

Better Living Through Re-Recording

2005-10-10T13:11:00.000-05:00

After weeks of promising I'd get around to it, I've finally re-recorded my audio demonstration of how to subscribe to podcasts using the iTunes Music Store podcast directory.

I stole Mike D's lead-in and lead-out from Amy's first podcasts using Audio Hijack, then snipped out the parts of the capture I didn't want using GarageBand. While the leads sounds great, it makes my iTalk recording sound a little small and shabby by comparison.

Overall, though, I'm happier with the latest recording. I had an opportunity to correct lines I flubbed or cut too short during editing, and wrote out the entire script to follow so I was considerably less stressed during the re-recording. Compare before and after to see the difference.

I still find it inconvenient to capture audio on my iPod then transfer the recording to my computer for editing. My next task is to find a way to streamline this a bit.

Bugs in iTunes 5.0

2005-09-15T14:15:00.000-05:00

If you are having any issues with your iPod it may be due to a bug in the new 5.0 version. Lots of users have reported missing playlists and being unable to transfer files purchased through the iTunes music store. So, you may want to keep using version 4.9 until Apple fixes the problem. More info.

Updated: Apple has already released a patch to ITunes 5.0.1 to address these very issues.

Podcasting in Education

2005-09-02T00:16:00.000-05:00

Apple's Podcasting in Education web page includes a simple and straightforward explanation of what a podcast is, and provides links to some good examples of podcasting in education. And that's how I discovered the NECC ADE Podcasts, which have been created by Apple Distinguished Educators before, during, and after the 2005 National Educational Computing Conference (NECC).

Yet more Podcasting How To's.

2005-08-30T09:32:00.000-05:00

Here's another link to more tips and such. This time from a PC hardware geek perspective. We actually have some of this gear already in-house, so feel free to request the use of a mic, recorder or other device if you wish to experiment.

Ten Tips for Improving Your Podcasts

2005-08-29T19:41:00.000-05:00

Ten Tips for Improving Your Podcasts by Jack Herrington -- Jack Herrington, author of Podcasting Hacks, offers his top ten suggestions for creating great podcasts. He starts with the basics: reducing noise, getting a good microphone, proper microphone technique, show prep, and format; and closes with tips that deal with improving the content of your show.

The world is listening. gulp

2005-08-26T16:02:00.000-05:00

"I'm recording... But what am I suppose to say?" I'm not very strong at extemporaneous speaking, so figuring out what to say once I've pressed "record" is more challenging for me than the technology.

Rather than subject our blog's readers to another few minutes worth of pointless rambling, I decided to put together a simple tutorial. The goal: record a simple audio-only technology tutorial that can be listened to and completed in five minutes or fewer. The subject: Subscribe to a podcast using iTunes. We don't have any finished DIIA podcasts in queue so I decided to throw a bit of promotion to one of my favorite podcasts, EatFeed. After making a quick run-through of the steps involved, I drafted an informal script to help carry me through the spots where words escaped me.

I've accidentally clipped the ends off some words and phrases while editing out unnecessary pauses and flubbed lines, but I think it's a good first try. At one point I direct people to download iTunes from the wrong directory on the Apple site--something I'd re-record for a more polished release. After the initial shock of "Is that really what my voice sounds like?" wears off I can better concentrate on more important issues. (Issues like: "Do I call individual podcast recordings "installations," "episodes," or something else entirely? Oh no!")

Listen to the recording sample here: DIIA Podcast: Subscribe to a Podcast in iTunes (experimental recording), 3:30

We now have RSS for our blog

2005-08-26T14:19:00.000-05:00

RSS feeds for Blogger.com blogs are only available to "pro" users, but you can use third-party providers like FeedBurner to get the job done. The FeedBurner web site is easy to use -- simply fill in the blanks, check checkboxes, and/or select via radio buttons -- and you'll have a custom RSS feed in no time. Here's ours: http://feeds.feedburner.com/DiiaPodcastProjectTeam

Now if you're asking yourself, "what's an RSS feed?", "why do I want one?", you might want to read this.

David Pogue's Podcast Video

2005-08-26T08:47:00.000-05:00

My favorite technology pundit, New York Times columnist and author David Pogue, created this very humorous (but informative) 3-minute video on podcasting -- what it is, how to easily download podcasts via the new version of iTunes (free; Mac/Win), and what kinds of homegrown podcasts are being created by folks just like you and me... er, well, maybe not JUST like you and me...
Watch the video, see for yourself.

First sample recording with iTrip

2005-08-24T15:57:00.000-05:00

Our new iPods are here! Earlier today I did a quick sample recording on my new iPod using the Griffin iTalk iPod voice recorder, editited the audio in GarageBand, then added a music sample. It lacks, well, substance, but it's just an early experiment. Listen to the recording and let me know your thoughts.

Official DIIA Podcast Team iTalk Carrying Case

2005-08-23T10:07:00.000-05:00

Who says we're not innovative? And thrifty!

We've discovered that recycled Altoids tins are handy for all kinds of things, including protecting our Griffin iTalk iPod voice recorders.

Marantz PMD660 Digital Audio recorder info

2005-08-17T08:48:00.000-05:00

Howdy, y'all. Thanks, Amy for adding me to blog.

I recently purchased two Marantz PMD660 compact flash recorders to facilitate the audio recording process. These are small portable devices and can record uncompresed .wav as well as .mp3 formats at either a 44.1khz or 48khz sample rate. Each recorder has a 2GB compact flash card and connects to either Mac or PC via USB for file transfer. The unit also has a built-in microphone, line level input and XLR mic connectors so professional quality microphones can be plugged right in. I will be putting the recorders through their paces next week at the NFS seminar, capturing many of the sessions for potential upcoming podcasts.

The cool thing about these devices is that I no longer have to capture audio from DAT tape in real-time. If a DAT tape was 90 minutes long, it would take 90 minutes playback to capture into the computer before editing and processing. Now, I can mount the Marantz just like a flash drive and transfer the audio.

Read more about the Marantz PMD660

Communicating with Images and Words

2005-08-08T11:29:00.000-05:00

Go ahead -- click the picture above to see a larger image.

Comic Life by plasq, used to create the graphic above, was one of the Apple Design Award winners at the 2005 Worldwide Developers Conference. I'm thinking that it might be a handy teaching and documentation tool.
p.s. All 3 of us will very likely be performing all 3 of the tasks above; I just drew one bubble over each head as an example.

We are GO!

2005-08-05T07:54:00.000-05:00

The DIIA Podcast Project Team was officially formed on the afternoon of August 4, 2005, when we got the go-ahead from DIIA's Director of Technology Integration and Development, Shan Evans.

We need an efficient and easy-to-use method for tracking team progress, collaborating from remote locations, and performing searches on our notes, and a blog is the communications technology that fits best.

The team is comprised of DIIA staff members Amy Miller, Stephanie Weiler, and Libby Peterek.

Our objective: to produce brief, informative podcasts on topics related to instructional technology, in these four categories:

How To - technology
How To - best practices
Profiles - educators, technologists
Events

Stay tuned.

DIIA Podcast Team Photo by Dana DeLoca
Originally uploaded by Amy Miller.

Team members Stephanie Weiler, Amy Miller, and Libby Peterek.