PODCASTING SOFTWARE
The software programs listed here are just a few of many available podcasting software programs that are designed to help you create a digital broadcast with audio, photos and video files. These broadcasts are available on the Internet so that a wide audience, both in and out of the school, can set their computers to automatically download new episodes in a series through a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed.
Software |
Description |
License |
Platform |
| Juice | Receiver which downloads podcasts | Free | Mac, PC |
| iTunes | Automatically downloads podcasts | Free | Mac, PC |
| Chaptertoolme | Utility program to add chapters in podcasts | Free | Mac |
| GarageBand | Create podcasts | Commercial | Mac |
| Podomatic | Create podcasts | Free | Mac, PC |
The varied capabilities of a podcasting tool includes, but are not limited to the following: record, edit, and add special effects to spoken words, add music for intro and outro, add text to describe the content of the broadcast, create a really simple syndication (RSS) feed so that others can subscribe to receive the podcasts as they become available, export in several file formats and download on to the computer, MP3 player or iPod, ability to add photos, video and chapter markings to the podcast. The podcasting tools can be used across the curriculum and in varied grade levels.
- Applied Technology: Podcasting in applied technology is a tool for students to broadcast promotions of products and services or communicate their views and understanding of health and safety issues regarding the workplace or community.
- Art: Podcasting in the arts can help students to broadcast their radio theatre. The podcast can include artistic photos that represent the message as well as video clips of their performances. They can include music to set the mood for their podcast.
- Foreign Language: Podcasting in foreign language can help students develop their reading, listening, writing and speaking in the target language. They can hear stories read aloud as they follow along, they can hear a speech or conversation in the target language, they can write the script and record their own podcast in the target language.
- Health and Physical Education: Podcasting in health and physical education is a tool for students to hear informative broadcasts and communicate their learning of issues related to health and fitness.
- Language Arts: Podcasting in language arts can help students to develop their language skills through listening to and making podcasts. They can hear literature read aloud as they follow along, write their own stories, poetry or essays and create a podcast either individually or as a class for other classmates, school community and parents to hear.
- Mathematics: Podcasting in math is a tool for students to hear classroom lessons to reinforce what was taught. The teacher can make a podcast describing the procedures of a formula or computation or how the math skills apply to real life problem solving.
- Science: Podcasting in science can help students listen to and communicate their learning of different scientific topics. Podcasts regarding relevant research topics are a resource for students in their study of science.
- Social Studies: Podcasting in social studies is a tool for students to increase their understanding of social study topics by creating their own podcasts from their own scripts, essays and story retellings.
Sample Lesson Plans
There presently are no sample lesson plans on how the podcasting software tool can be integrated in a content area and grade level. However, educators can use Podcasts to communicate their students’ accomplishments with the school community and parents. Teachers can also create podcasts of classroom lessons or supplemental material that can be accessed by students outside of school.