Podcasting Lecture Recordings
Otago offers two services which (when combined) allow you to podcast the audio of your lectures to your students: the Podcasting service, and the audio recording software available in some lecture theatres.
The basics: what is Podcasting?
Podcasting is a technology for delivering audio and video files via a “subscription” model. Media files are uploaded to a website, and may then be downloaded by either visiting the website, or subscribing to the RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feed, using either a RSS-aware browser (Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 1.5+, Safari), or specialised software, like iTunes. Unlike Streaming, Podcasting allows the entire file to be downloaded, which means it can be played when the computer is not connected to the internet, burned onto CD, or transferred to a digital audio/video device. Podcasting is ideally suited for distributing material that is released periodically (for example, twice-weekly lectures, monthly seminars, etc).
At present, podcasting is used to deliver audio recordings of lectures; audio recordings of audio-conferences; and audio and video recordings of Inaugural Professorial lectures and other public events. You can see who is using the Otago University Podcasting Service at this site (note: some of these sites are password-protected).
If you’re a Distance teacher and would like to Podcast your audio conferences, please contact Yvette Coutts to discuss this.
Getting started
If you’re interested in recording your lectures and podcasting them, there are a few things to do before you start.
- Apply for a Podcasting site – visit http://www.otago.ac.nz/podcasting, fill out the form, and send it to the HelpDesk. You’ll be contacted once your site is set up with some instructions about how to upload files and manage your site. You can find the instructions here.
- Check that your lecture theatre has recording facilities at this site – alternatively, you could use your own MP3 recorder.
- Download the instructions for the audio recording software in the lecture theatres (for either Mac or Windows).
- Contact the HelpDesk and ask them for the access details for the Lecture Recording drop-box – this is where your recordings will be sent so that you can pick them up.
Record your lectures
The recording software is very straight-forward – just follow the Mac or Windows instructions. Keep in mind that you can book a time with lecture theatre staff before your lecture to go through the process in person, and you can also call them during your lecture if you get stuck. Contact details for the various theatres are available on the lecture theatres contact details site.
After your lecture
Once the lecture is done, you need to log onto the audio recordings server (which the HelpDesk will give you the access details for) and pick up your MP3. After that, it’s just a matter of logging into your Podcasting site and uploading the file – a very similar process to uploading a file to Blackboard.
Adding an entry to a podcasting site.
More Information
If you need any help with lecture recording or Podcasting, please contact the ITS HelpDesk. If you’d like to learn more about audio and video files, and how to edit these, have a look at the ITS Training site – you can attend an Audacity (free audio editing software for Mac/Windows), Garageband (podcast creation software for Mac) or iMovie (video editing software for Mac) training course for free.
Podcasting 2008 – some statistics
For the last few weeks I have been investigating some of the podcasting data from 2008, which I thought might be interesting to share.
Firstly a little bit of background information: Podcasting has been offered as a service at Otago since August 2007. Many lecturers use it to provide students with an audio or video version of their lectures; this is particularly popular with distance papers, and for revision purposes. In 2008 approximately nine papers used the podcasting service during Semester 1, and 25 during Semester 2.
In June 2008 Otago launched its iTunes U site, taking the publically available podcasts to a greater global audience within iTunes. These podcasts include public lectures and musical performances as well as short films.
As you can see in the graph below, the launch of iTunes U caused a large spike in the individual podcast download numbers, while exam revision causes a smaller surge in October.
University of Otago: Podcast downloads - 2008
