6.+Audio+Resources

=What is a podcast?=

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=Can students really make a podcast?= Podcasts are not just for other students. Check out some of these great kid friendly podcasts...

[|Radio Willow Web] [|Coulee Kids] [|Learning in Hand: Podcasts]

Get your students started on a podcast. A great handout to give to your students can be found [|here].

=All about Podcasting in the Classroom= [|PoducateMe]

=Finding Podcasts for your Classroom: iTunes=

You can listen to podcasts with many different programs, but the one that I use the most often is iTunes. It comes preloaded on a Mac, but you can install it on your PC too! Click [|here] to download this free program.

Need help? Here are some instructions that you can use to help you download, install and use iTunes

=Finding and downloading podcasts outside of iTunes:=

iTunes isn't the only place where you can download podcasts:

[|Podcast Alley] [|NPR podcast] [|tech-ease]

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate your knowledge of using iTunes. To complete this assignment, I want you to find and download a podcast or music from iTunes to your computer. The file should preferably be one that is related to your classroom subject. Then, use iTunes to convert it to mp3 format (if not already as an mp3) and place a copy of the song on your wikipage.
 * __Assignment 5-1: I'm digging your iTunes__**

__Assignment 5-2: Introduction to Audacity: Classroom Commercial Podcast __
Did you ever feel like a broken record on back-to-school night? You know, explaining //over and over// to parents all about your class expectations? What if you could just hit “play” and give your voice a rest? For this assignment, you are to create a radio “commercial” that introduces parents to your classroom expectations and topics. The commercial should be around 60 seconds and include the following setup:

Welcome/Teacher introduction Music Clip Classroom Expectations Classroom topics covered throughout the year Classroom Communication Information Exit Music & Thanks

The commercial should also include 3 sound effects. Points for the assignment will be determined by the following rubric.

Intro || Catchy and clever. Provides relevant information and establishes a clear purpose engaging the listener immediately. || Describes the topic and engages the audience as the introduction proceeds. || Somewhat engaging (covers well-known topic), and provides a vague purpose. || Irrelevant or inappropriate topic that minimally engages listener. Does not include an introduction or the purpose is vague and unclear. || Content || Creativity and original. Enhances the purpose of the podcast in an innovative way. || Accurate information is provided succinctly. || Some information is inaccurate or long-winded. || Information is inaccurate. || Delivery || Well rehearsed, smooth delivery in a conversational style. || Rehearsed, almost smooth delivery. || Appears unrehearsed with uneven delivery. || Delivery is hesitant, and choppy and sounds like the presenter is reading. || Technical || Music enhances the mood, quality, and understanding of the presentation. || Music provides supportive background to the podcast. || Music provides somewhat distracting background to the podcast. || Music is distracting to presentation. ||
 * || ** Exemplary (4) ** || ** Proficient (3) ** || ** Partially Proficient (2) ** || ** Incomplete (1) ** ||
 * ^  || Transitions are smooth and spaced correctly without noisy, dead space. || Transitions are smooth with a minimal amount of ambient noise. || Transitions are uneven with inconsistent spacing; ambient noise is present. || Transitions are abrupt and background noise needs to be filtered. ||
 * ^  || Volume of voice & music enhances the presentation. || Volume is occasionally inconsistent. || Volume is mostly inconsistent. || Volume changes are highly distracting. ||

=Download Audacity - The program used for making your own podcast=

Download the Audacity program [|here] Need help?

Make sure you have the LAME encoder for converting your files to mp3 format. Click [|here] for written instructions or watch this short video clip.

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=Setup up your computer for a podcast= Here is a short video that explains how to set up the equipment you need to record a podcast. media type="youtube" key="OZqhlm3wiq8" height="344" width="425"

=Recording with Audacity= Here is a helpful reference guide for working with Audacity:

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