Thing #5: Podcasting & Video sharing

Define:

A podcast is an online audio broadcast distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and computers. The term is a combination of the words "Pod" and "broadcast", the Apple iPod being the brand of portable media player for which the first podcasts were developed for its iTunes website. Though podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when new content is added, using an aggregator or feed reader capable of reading feed formats such as RSS.

Oh great! Another of those helpful videos from commoncraft. This is Podcasting in Plain English, of course. Sit back, relax, enjoy!



Discover:

There are many, many podcast directories and finding tools out there. Here are just three of the more popular ones that, unlike iTunes, don't require a software download:

- Mediafly.com
- Podcastalley.com
- Podcast.com

Many of the above listed sites have also recently added vodcasts, which are the video version of podcasts. One of the biggest advantages to podcasts and vodcasts are that they can be listened to or watched anytime and anywhere you choose. You can also find thousands of vodcasts here!

While we are looking at "media," let's take a look at YouTube, as well.
If you haven’t heard about YouTube by now, what rock you’ve been living under? As the source of all things video on the Internet, and we do mean all things. YouTube is the place to go to watch [mostly] short videos (1-10 minutes) on whatever interests you. You may have noticed that the "Plain English" videos from commoncraft are from YouTube.
The good, the bad, and the ugly are all there for all to see — which is one reason many school districts and libraries block YouTube. Another reason is bandwidth. Like music, video is a bandwidth hog. We recommend you complete this activity during light Internet usage times.

Do:

Visit one or two of the podcast directories listed above and see if you can find a podcast that interests you. Are there any interesting library-related podcasts listed? Can you find a book review podcast or library news?

Add the RSS feed for a podcast to your Bloglines account.

As you did with Podcasts, Take some time exploring YouTube. Find a video worth adding as an entry in your blog. The video you pick does not have to be about Web 2.0, it can be about anything that interests you. You might want to take a look at these really funny library-related videos on YouTube.
Promoting Librarians:
- Super Librarian from New Jersey Libraries and The Adventures of Super Librarian from the McCracken County Public Library
Promoting Summer Reading:
- Denver Public Library's Summer of Reading
- Get in the Game READ! from Glen Ellyn Public Library
Promoting ...??
- The Haunted Library (Happy Halloween from the Glenside Public Library
Promoting Technical Services! (yay!)
- The TS
And the classic...
- Dumb Blonde in the Library
For other great library videos on youtube, search for "iACPL," "Allen County Public Library," "McCracken Public Library," or the name of your favorite public library or library system.
(Update 3/2/09: Check out Roselle Public Library's Channel on YouTube for RPL Book Talker's Book of the Week videos, produced as a direct result of this Thing!)

Now, let's write your "Thing #5: Podcasting & Video Sharing" blog post
Browse to the "Playtime" blog you created in Thing #1 (it should be listed in the Participants' Blogs on the right) and create a new post.
Use "Thing #5: Podcasting & Video Sharing" as the title of your blog post.
In the post:
- Add a link to a podcast, vodcast, or YouTube video and write a quick note about why you found it interesting.
- What did you learn about podcasting and/or video sharing that surprised you?
- How can we use podcasting and/or video sharing as tools in the Library.
Don't be afraid to be completely honest in your opinions.

You're all finished with Thing #5.
You've learned what a podcast is and how it is different from a vodcast. Perhaps you listened to or watched a few interesting ones.
You also learned about YouTube, and perhaps you discovered why it is such an incredibly popular site.
Way to go! Are you having fun yet?

Optional BONUS FUN!!
In addition to user-created audio and video sharing sites (Web 2.0), don't forget the profesionally created video sites on the Internet.
Did you miss this week's episode of your favorite show? Forget to set up the VCR or the DVR? If you don't want to wait for the summer reruns, visit Hulu or Sling to see if you can catch it there.
Hulu and Sling provide free access to a variety of movies and TV shows...for free! Check them out.
Browse to either and see what you've been missing.

More Optional BONUS FUN!!
Make your own podcast! Creating and sharing a podcast is as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Create an account on either gCast or GabCast.
2. Call a toll-free number and record your podcast (note: beginning 4/1/09, gCast charges a subscription fee to phone in a podcast; uploading to their site is still free; GabCast remains free to phone-in).
3. Copy the code that the sites make available to you to share on your blog.

Next up...we're going to learn about all chat in Thing #6: Instant Messaging.