Monday, December 8, 2008

# 21 Podcasts, Smodcasts

The word podcast is used to refer to a non-musical audio or video broadcast that is distributed over the Internet. What differentiates a podcast from regular streaming audio or video is that the delivery method for podcasts is often done automatically through RSS.

In 2005, "podcast" was named the "word of the year" by New Oxford American Dictionary and with the growth of podcasting over the last few years, it's easy to see why.

Podcasts take many forms, from short 1-10 minutes commentaries to much longer in person interviews or panel group discussions. There’s a podcast out there for just about every interest area and the best part about this technology is that you don’t have to have an iPod or a MP3 player to access them. Since podcasts use the MP3 file format, you really just need a PC with headphones or a speaker.

iTunes, the free downloadable application created by Apple is the directory finding service most associated with podcasts, but if you don’t have iTunes installed there are still plenty of options.

For this discovery exercise participants are asked to take a look at some popular podcast directory tools. Do some exploring on your own and locate a podcast that is of interest to you. Once found, you can easily pull the RSS feed into your Bloglines account as well, so that when new casts become available you’ll be automatically notified of their existence.

Discovery Resources:

Video: Podcasting in Plain English

There are many, many podcast directories and finding tools out there. Some require you to download software in order to use. Here is a brief list:


  • iTunes

  • Podcast Alley

  • Odeo

  • Podcast Pickle

  • Podnova

    Discovery Exercise:

    1. You often must sign up or download an aggregator in order to view podcasts. However, you can find podcasts all over the Internet. Take a look around for a podcast that interests you. See if you can find some interesting library related podcasts like book review podcasts or library news.
    2. Add the RSS feed for a podcast to your Bloglines account
    3. Create a blog post about your discovery process. Did you find anything useful here?


    Optional Resource: Creating a podcast with Blogger

  • 32 comments:

    G said...

    Podcast Discovery
    http://gregs23.blogspot.com/2008/12/discovery-exercise-21.html
    http://www.bloglines.com/public/Gregs23

    Anonymous said...

    http://www.bloglines.com/blog/JackieSmith
    this is my bloglines address my podcast is called LibVibe. Check it out!

    NicoleS said...

    #21 of 23 is done. See my podcast comments at http://nicolesblogjpl.blogspot.com/2008/12/21-podcasts.html

    Anonymous said...

    Not really feeling them...
    http://jpl-part-timer.blogspot.com/2008/12/podcasts-jpl-20-21.html

    loveX6 said...

    http://sixofhearts-lovex6.blogspot.com/2008/12/21-podcasts-smodcasts.html

    Check out my blog and find out which podcast I listened to. I was unable to use the RSS feed.

    Katie said...

    http://fromkatiesshoes.blogspot.com/2008/12/21-podcast-or-better-yet-pod-h-e-double.html

    My title of my blog will link you to my podcast in Podcast Alley. I could not get the blogline account and RSS feed to work. Yikes

    Anonymous said...

    Here's the link to my blog post: http://reflections-learner-learner.blogspot.com/2008/12/discovery-exercise-21-podcasts.html

    CALwishart said...

    I posted a podcast on my blog. I am really excited about successfully navigating a bit of technology.

    Katie said...

    http://fromkatiesshoes.blogspot.com/2008/12/21-second-time-around.html

    I redid this assignment. I came to the Wed. tutorial and learned how to add the feed to my blogline.
    Thank you to Donna for her patience

    Sharon Jaskula said...

    My Post:
    http://jaskulajourney.blogspot.com/2008/12/21-podcasts.html

    loveX6 said...

    http://sixofhearts-lovex6.blogspot.com/2008/12/21-podcasts-smodcasts-part-2.html
    Check out my blog to see how I figured out the use of the RSS feed for a blogline from the Bloglines account

    Ed Lein said...

    #21 Personal. On. Demand.

    Anonymous said...

    Here is my post concerning podcasts.
    roddyk.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/podcasts/

    Karren said...

    kdeas (kdeas@coj.net)

    Lesson #21 My perferance on podcast

    http://kadsblogger.blogspot.com/2008/12/lesson-21-itunes.html

    Anonymous said...

    My blog on podcast: http://jaxscots.blogspot.com/2008/12/podcast.html
    This one is a keeper.
    Thank you.

    Anonymous said...

    I decided not to make a podcast, as I sound like Alvin & The Chipmunks on speed most days.

    http://cornerdemon.blogspot.com/2008/12/podcasting-in-all-its-glory.html

    Anonymous said...

    Podcasts are great, but I don't have the time to get hooked on them.

    Don C. said...

    I went for the standar NPR podcasts. Seeing as we're all librarians, "Wait! Wait! Don't Tell Me!" needs no introduction.

    http://donssevenandahalfhabits.blogspot.com/

    Anonymous said...

    Margaret mgloag@coj.net

    An interesting one! Hwere is my bloglines address
    http://www.bloglines.com/blog/POPMaggie

    Feather on the Path said...

    #21
    http://featheronthepath.blogspot.com/2008/12/podcasts-video-downloadable-audio.html

    In a Pickle...

    Jason said...


    #21!


    my bloglines account-look for the Grammar Girl Podcast

    jackie said...

    http://butterflies-jackie.blogspot.com/2008/12/podcasts.html

    Podcast section #21 done

    Carrie said...

    Podcasts!

    jaxcat said...

    http://jaxcat.blogspot.com/2009/01/pod-casting.html

    omebi<>dreams said...

    http://pluto-raechel.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-didnt-really-know-too-much-about.html

    sarthurgeiger said...

    For my comments on Podcasts, please see:

    http://sarthurgeiger.blogspot.com/2009/01/21-podcasts-smodcasts.html

    arnettag@coj.net said...

    This is my entry on podcasts. Thanks! http://msgirardeauandlibrary20.blogspot.com/

    brad said...

    Well, I wasn't crazy about this one initially, but now I'm a fan.

    http://bjaskula.blogspot.com/2009/01/21-podcasts-smodcasts.html

    Anonymous said...

    Added a podcast to my bloglines account!

    http://miss-val-the-librarian.blogspot.com/2009/02/exercise-21.html

    aleonard said...

    http://daniellealuminum.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-havent-really-gotten-into-too-much.html

    Anonymous said...

    My podcast discovery is at:

    http://terryandrover.blogspot.com/

    Jill said...

    http://lionsleepstonight.blogspot.com/2009/06/ex-21-podcasts.html