Web 2.0 Chapter 8 - Podcasting, Video and Screencasting, Live Streaming: Multimedia Publishing for the Masses

According to Wikipedia, "A podcast is a series of audio or video digital media files which are distributed over the Internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players and personal computers." (I will leave the links to Wikipedia for the identified terms as the definition of the podcast is directly from their website.) The term podcast has stuck to the video or audio produced and distributed by many people even though they may not be distributed through Apple. The difference between a true podcast and any media file is simply the distribution method. Any media file distributed through the Apple iTunes website becomes a podcast. The same media file if not distributed through the Apple website is not truly a podcast. It has become the norm however to refer to any media file distributed electronically to be called a podcast much to the happiness of Apple I'm sure.

In many conversations I've had with educators there is an interest in making a "podcast". Usually I find that people get ahead of themselves and think the big picture rather than looking at it from a step by step process. The first step is to identify what media is desired to be created either audio or video. Next the initial media has to be recorded and saved as an electronic file. This then may be edited or modified in a way to optimize what the creator wants to share. Once the file is complete with any changes saved, using for example Windows Movie Maker for video, Audacity for audio or other software, the media now must be published or placed where the intended audience has access to it. (This is the step where the media either remains a media file of streaming video, audio or actually becomes a true podcast.) In many cases the author has a select audience locally and can publish the media by placing it in a location that the intended audience has access to such as a school or business server where it can be shared through a website. If the intended audience is a group of students in a specific school and or community members in that area it may not be necessary to go beyond the local website to achieve the intended purpose. If world wide publishing is the intention then the next step may be to publish the media file to the iTunes website of Apple. The creator needs to determine their intentions and desired goal.

Another consideration one should make before spending any amount of time creating any media file for distribution is whether or not there is already available media that covers the intentions of the person. If it is already created and shared there may be no need to reinvent the wheel so to speak. There are some great websites out on the Internet that offer media files and or podcasts for free download. The Education Podcast Network is one of these. If you click on the Title of this post you can navigate to the podcast network mentioned.

Web 2.0 Chapter 7: Fun With Flickr

Creating, Publishing, and Using Images Online as stated in Will Richardson's Book "is becoming more and more accessible every day. This chapter is related to Flickr although there are many different sites that can be used for this purpose. Flickr allows users to post images up to 100MB per month. Flickr sends a message to new users that states the following:

You can use Flickr to:
Organize your photos in a meaningful way - http://flickr.com/photos/organize/
Share your photos and stay in touch with your friends and family - http://flickr.com/photos/friends/
Form a group for a wedding, reunion and event
Find beautiful, cool or intriguing photos and videos
And much, much more

If you click on the title of this post you can go to Flickr and start using their website services.

Please share your ideas on how a service like this may be used in a classroom or for education purposes.