Staff
Creating a Podcast
This recipe sheet looks at how you can create a podcast for your Blackboard module. It will also help you gain
an awareness of services and resources available at Teesside.
Creating a Podcast...
This recipe contains
information on:
Audio software
Recording your audio
Exporting your audio as
MP3
Online Podcasting Resources
Sourceforge
http://audacity.sourceforge.net
Audio Software
There are many different packages
available to create your audio. Some
are free to download and others are
not. You may already be using a
particular package, which is fine. If
not, we recommend using Audacity
mainly because it is free and is also
relatively easy to use.
1) Download Audacity by visiting the
Audacity website (http://
audacity.sourceforge.net).
2) Run the installation program —
accept the installation location that is suggested by default (C:\Program
Files\Audacity).
(Note: You may need administration rights to your PC to install the software— if
this is the case please contact your local ICT Helpdesk).
3) In order to export your completed audio file as an MP3 you will also need to download and install the LAME
Encoder.
4) To do this go to the LAME download page. http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/
5) Click on any link from the list of identical lame-3.98.2 links.
6) When you have finished downloading LAME, unzip it and save the file lame_enc.dll anywhere on your computer
(we’d recommend unzipping it to the Plug-Ins folder within your Audacity install—C:\Program Files\Audacity\Plug-Ins).
7) The first time you use the Export as MP3 command, Audacity will ask you where lame_enc.dll is located.
Recording your Audio
Once you have installed Audacity and the
LAME encoder you are ready to begin
recording you audio. You will need to have a
microphone connected to your laptop/pc to
talk into.
1) Open Audacity via: Start > Programs >
Audacity
2) When you are ready to begin recording
simply press the record button. When you
have finished select the stop button. If
necessary you can press pause at any point to record your audio section by section.
L as t
R e v i e we d :
N o v e m b e r
2 0 0 9
P ag e
2
Creating a Podcast , continued…
3) You are then able to strip out any unnecessary parts/mistakes later by
simply selecting the relevant section of your sound file and choosing
Edit > Cut.
4) If you have any copyright free intro/outro sound clips that you wish to
use you can add these onto the beginning and end of your file as required
by simply selecting the section of sound you wish to insert into your
podcast, copying it, selecting the insertion point within your podcast, and
pasting your selection. You may need to adjust volume levels accordingly
once you’ve inserted your clip.
Exporting your audio as MP3
Now you have created your audio you need to export this to MP3 format.
1) Select File > Export as MP3.
2) The first time you export a file a MP3 you are prompted to locate the
lame_enc.dll file that you unzipped earlier. Browse to locate the file.
3) Once you have located the lame_enc.dll file your audio will save as
MP3.
4) You will have the option to add an ID3 tag (used to contain data such
as ‘Title’, ‘Artist’, ‘Album’, etc) to your MP3 file. As this information is
more relevant for music tracks you may wish to complete just ‘Title’ and
’Artist’.
5) You are now ready to upload your MP3 to your Blackboard Module.
Please see Add a Podcast to Blackboard for instructions on how to do
this.
Why use Podcasts?
Audio content is known to offer not only an alternative learning style but an extra dimension to the learning
experience. They can be used at many points in a course: First lectures, assessment advice, going on placement,
reading for seminars etc and generally help to create a more direct connection between staff and students—a one-toone feel.
Some tips: Rehearse but don’t script : : Keep it short (listen to it yourself) :: Series and episodes (don’t put yourself
under pressure to produce them regularly until you’re confident) : : Don’t over-use them (like any other tool)
Related link: http://tinyurl.com/microlecture
L as t
R e v i e we d :
N o v e m b e r
2 0 0 9