Podcast+Project

Podcasts can be a great addition to your wiki/web page. They allow you to communicate with parents and students in a way other than plain text. The allow the listener to hear tone and inflection and have a more personal experience on your web page.

There are a few popular programs used for podcasting, audio recording, and audio manipulations. In this class we will be using Audacity. Audacity is an Open Source program developed and modified by a network of programmers with the central purpose of bettering the program and its functions.

Another good thing about audacity is that it is **FREE** and the same across platforms (e.g. mac, windows, linux, etc.). When we create our own podcasts, you will need this Program in order to continue with it.

Using Audacity
You are each going to use Audacity to record a quick welcome message to include on the home page of your wiki. I will demonstrate how to do this in class and then you will each have a chance to use it.

Audacity is a wonderful free resource and once you know the basics it is simple to use. The YouTube video below teaches you some of the basics. To find more Audacity tutorials just search YouTube for "audacity tutorials" and you will find many good results. Here is a link to some a few tutorials: Audacity Tutorials.

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Audacity Podcast Project


Individually or in a group of up to 3 people, create an audio Podcast that would be appropriate for a student and their parent to listen to at home.

The three segments (Literacy Connection, Website, and Activity) can be in any logical order you like for a total **minimum length of 8 minutes**. Be sure to include a description paragraph (a short description of the podcast) and any related materials (activity pages, readings, etc.) when you post the podcast on your Wiki Projects page. This is a common way to include additional materials.


 * Each Podcast needs to include the following: **


 * ** Introduction, Transition, and Exit Music ** : Music of your choice following copyright guidelines (10% or less of each song)
 * ** Introduction ** Who you are, what the podcast will be about, and the intended age group.
 * ** Standards Connection: ** A reference to the Oklahoma Standards that you will be addressing. (Don’t read the whole standard but summarize)
 * ** Literacy Connection: ** A book or reading activity related to your topic and a rationale for including it.
 * ** Website: ** A website related to your topic and why it has educational value.
 * ** Activity: ** Link your topic to some sort of activity that would be appropriate for the age group you are targeting. This activity could be something that you explain in the podcast or something that you make a handout for parents to print.
 * ** Conclusion: ** Just like any good lesson, recap what you have learned or talked about. Suggest they go to our website and suggest other things they might do if they want to learn more.

Downloading and Installing Audacity
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 * 1) Download, read, and review the handout:
 * 1) Watch this video on downloading and installing Audacity on your computer:

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Once this is done, download and install both the Audacity program and the LAME MP3 File so that when you need to use it, it will be ready for you.

Some of the text and the handout were taken from Steven Chesnut, StevenEIPT3043.