PodcastExercise

Podcast Exercise

In this exercise, you will find podcasts and subscribe to them using your Google Reader account. If you are willing and able to download separate software, you can also try this exercise using iTunes or Juice (There is an attachment below of a handout with screenshots for using Juice.)

Exercise:

1. Take a look at one or two of the podcast directories listed below and see if you can find a podcast that interests you. See if you can find some interesting library-related podcasts here like book review podcasts or library news.
• NPR Podcast Directory
• Odeo
• Podcast Alley
2. Add the RSS feed for a podcast to your Google Reader   account.
   
• Click on the link for the podcast to which you want to subscribe. If you get to a user-friendly RSS page, you may be able to select Google Reader from a drop-down menu to subscribe. If not, you will need to highlight the URL and hit CTRL-C on your keyboard (Windows) to copy it.
  
• Go to Google Reader and log in.
• Click the "Add Subcription" link in the left column.
• Hit CTRL-V on your keyboard (Windows) to paste the URL.
• Click the Add button.
• When you click on the title for one of the podcast episodes, a small media player will appear where you can stream the music. You can play the audio file from here or you can click on "Original audio source" to download it.

Exploring Further

Optional Exercise (microphone required)

Add an Episode to the SEMLS Learning 2.0 Podcast

1. Record an MP3 audio file talking about how you would use podcasting in your library. To do so:
• If you are using a microphone on an MP3 player or a digital voice recorder:
• Record yourself talking.
• Connect the device to your computer.
• Transfer the MP3 file that was created to a location on your computer where you can later find it.
• If you are using a microphone connected to your computer:
• Download the freely available Audacity (http://www.audacity.com) and LAME MP3 Encoder. The MP3 Encoder is NOT a program you need to install. Instead, after opening the zip file, extract the lame_enc.dll file to your hard drive in a place where you can later find it.
• Open Audacity and record yourself after clicking on the Record button.
• When you are done talking, click the Stop button.
• Save the file.
• Click File and then select "Export as MP3."
• Audacity will ask you where the LAME MP3 Encoder is located. Find the file that you downloaded in the first step.
• Save the MP3 file to a location where you can later find it.
  
2. Go to http://www.gcast.com.
3. At the top of the screen, log in with this login information. (You must be logged into the wiki to view the page with the login information.)
   
4. In the "Add Audio to Your Podcast" section, click "Upload new audio files."
   
5. Click the "I agree, upload this file" button.
   
6. Your episode has now been added to the SEMLS Learning 2.0 Podcast.