Podcasting

Podcasting
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I have just been introduced to the world of Podcasting, and there is a great deal of information to be learned. I listend to six different Podcasts this week, and found several things that made them so sussesful and intresting. I also, was able to get a better feel for how they operated.

Listen to Podcasts:
ConnectLearning
SmartBoard Lessons
KidCast
EdTechtalk
MacBreak Weekly
This Week in Photography



The first thing I noticed about these Podcasts were their introductions. Although, each were different, in their own ways, they all shared similar formats. Several of the podcasts would start out with the date, episode number, and who the podcast was brought to you by. Most of the podcasts started with an introduction of the people you were listening too, and guest speakers. Music was used in the introduction frequently, which I found to capture my attention quicker. For example, ConnectLearning Podcast used the same music for each episode which can help listerns identify the podcast immediatly. Most every Podcast I listened to had one thing in common in their introductions, they had small talk. Within the first 3 or 4 minutes, hosts and guests on the cast would keep the conversation light. They would talk about where they are from, the weather, and an overveiw of topics they would discuss. They would not just dive into a heavy conversation from the start. I liked this aspect because it gave me, a first time listener, time to get familar with what was going on and not be overwhelmed with to much information.

The second thing I learned about podcasting is the different conversational styles that can be used. Each podcast was different. Some were more informal. Speakers seemed to be more laidback with their language, and they used more of a conversational style of speaking with their guests. To me the podcasts moved at a quicker pace. They laughed, told jokes, and told stories. Others were more on the formal side and tended to speak at a slower pace; just presenting the facts on the subject they were discussing, and not venturing out to other topics or stories.
For the most part, after the introduction, most of the podcasts followed the same format. They would select certain subjects they were discussing for that day and basically ask questions, make comments, give advice, list examples, and give their opinions. They also had alot of feedback. Guests and speakers would not just voice all of their own ideas and thoughts, but they would get other inputs too, which I enjoyed. For example, the ConnectLearning, episode 90, podcast I listend to actually had 9,000 librarians all over South carolina involved in this one podcast. Actual teachers would comment and give advice on why podcasts in libraries benifited children. This allows listeners to have several different opinions from teachers who are directly expierencing the subject being discussed in their own classrooms.

The example above brings me to my next point I learned about how podcasts opperate. Podcasts differ with how many people can actually be involved, and where they take place. Some of the podcasts took place in quite areas, others in actual classrooms, and one episode I listend to from ConnectLearing took place in a noisy resturant. The ConnectLearning episode had 9,000 teachers involved and connected. Kidcast, on the other hand, had only one speaker who talked about videopod casting the entire time. He only made comments, and had no questions or feedback. This podcast was more about stating information, then having a debate or hearing opinions of others. I noticed there was not an average length to the podcasts I listend too, and each one differd. Some were very short and to the point, like the SmartBoard Lessons Podcast which lasted 14 minutes, and others were an hour long, like the MacBreak Weekly Podcast.
I also noticed that each podcast did not just have experts speaking. There were so many diverse people from every level including students and teachers. For example, on EdTechtalk, the subject being discussed was google docs templates, and the speakers included: teachers that used google docs templates in their classrooms, two students, the product manager of google docs, and two engineers that worked to create the templates. The creators, teachers, and users of google docs template's were able to share their different views, and give advice so all aspects on each leval were coverd.In conclusion, Podcasting is a great way to discover valuable information, hear different views, receive helpful feedback, and most importantly help others connect and learn from diverse people all over the world.