Podcasting presentation for the 2012 Clarice Smith Teacher's Institute.

1. Podcasting Primer
Workshop
Clarice Smith Teacher Institute • July 9, 2012

3. Chris Ubik

4. Pronounced: yo͞obik

5. • MA, Museum Studies, Johns Hopkins University
• BA, History, University of Maryland University
College

7. Laurie Stepp

8. • MA, Museum Studies, Johns Hopkins University
• BFA, Maryland Institute College of Art

9. Multimedia Background
What is Multimedia?

10. Podcasting Background

11. Johns Hopkins Graduate Seminar

12. Johns Hopkins Graduate Seminar
• Student project, Conversations at the Textile
Museum, won Gold at the 2011 MUSE Awards

13. Mmm...tasty!

14. Laurie’s team in action

15. Hillwood Estate, Museum, & Gardens

16. Hillwood Estate, Museum, & Gardens
Where Fabulous Lives

17. Many parallels to this project

18. Many parallels to this project
• Read an object

19. Many parallels to this project
• Read an object
• Write a script

20. Many parallels to this project
• Read an object
• Write a script
• Record audio

21. Many parallels to this project
• Read an object
• Write a script
• Record audio
• Edit final project in Audacity

22. Many parallels to this project
• Read an object
• Write a script
• Record audio
• Edit final project in Audacity
• All using inexpensive/free hardware and
software

23. Phi Alpha
Theta “Online
Initiation” “AAM Goes to Cuba”

24. What you are going to
learn today?

25. Digital Sound Recorder

26. Free

27. Easy to use

28. Runs on Mac or PC

29. Did I mention: Free?

30. VoiceThread
“Conversations in the Cloud”

31. Web-Based Podcasting Tool

32. Subscription Part of the
Institute

33. Marry Video, Stills, and Audio

34. Optionally:
Prezi

35. Optionally:
Prezi
“Make your Presentations Zoom”

36. Online presentation tool

37. Easy to create gorgeous
multimedia presentations

38. Easy to create vertigo-inducing
presentations

39. Also: Free

40. Show of Hands

41. Show of Hands
• Who is familiar with podcasts?

42. Show of Hands
• Who is familiar with podcasts?
• Who listens to podcasts on a regular basis?

43. Show of Hands
• Who is familiar with podcasts?
• Who listens to podcasts on a regular basis?
• Who has created podcasts before?

44. Show of Hands
• Who is familiar with podcasts?
• Who listens to podcasts on a regular basis?
• Who has created podcasts before?
• Who has used Audacity? VoiceThread? Prezi?

45. Show of Hands
• Who is familiar with podcasts?
• Who listens to podcasts on a regular basis?
• Who has created podcasts before?
• Who has used Audacity? VoiceThread? Prezi?
• Who owns/uses an iPod/iPhone?

46. What is a podcast?

47. An audio file similar to a radio
broadcast, which can be
downloaded and listened to on
a computer, MP3 player, mobile
phone, etc.

48. Etymology: iPod + broadcast

49. Published electronically in some
way

50. For Example

55. Wide range of museum
podcasts

56. Wide range of museum
podcasts
• Many podcasts produced at the Smithsonian:
http://www.si.edu/podcasts/

57. Wide range of museum
podcasts
• Many podcasts produced at the Smithsonian:
http://www.si.edu/podcasts/
• Conversations with Survivors at USHMM:http://
www.ushmm.org/museum/publicprograms/
programs/firstperson/podcast/

58. Wide range of museum
podcasts
• Many podcasts produced at the Smithsonian:
http://www.si.edu/podcasts/
• Conversations with Survivors at USHMM:http://
www.ushmm.org/museum/publicprograms/
programs/firstperson/podcast/
• Virtually visit overseas museums.

59. Wide range of museum
podcasts
• Many podcasts produced at the Smithsonian:
http://www.si.edu/podcasts/
• Conversations with Survivors at USHMM:http://
www.ushmm.org/museum/publicprograms/
programs/firstperson/podcast/
• Virtually visit overseas museums.
• iTunes U

60. Two basic types of podcasts

61. Audio

62. Audio
• The original

63. Audio
• The original
• Surprisingly easy to create

64. Audio
• The original
• Surprisingly easy to create
• Can blend voice, music, sound effects

65. Audio
• The original
• Surprisingly easy to create
• Can blend voice, music, sound effects
• “Theater of the mind”

66. Audio
• The original
• Surprisingly easy to create
• Can blend voice, music, sound effects
• “Theater of the mind”
• Think old time radio

67. Video

68. Video
• As technology has evolved, so has podcasts

69. Video
• As technology has evolved, so has podcasts
• Not always “video” based

70. Video
• As technology has evolved, so has podcasts
• Not always “video” based
• Model: the “Ken Burns Effect”

71. Video
• As technology has evolved, so has podcasts
• Not always “video” based
• Model: the “Ken Burns Effect”
• No video camera needed

72. Video
• As technology has evolved, so has podcasts
• Not always “video” based
• Model: the “Ken Burns Effect”
• No video camera needed
• Smaller files

73. Video
• As technology has evolved, so has podcasts
• Not always “video” based
• Model: the “Ken Burns Effect”
• No video camera needed
• Smaller files
• More poetic effect

74. The Good News

75. The Good News
• Podcasts are easy to create

76. The Good News
• Podcasts are easy to create
• But first...

77. Why podcast?

78. I See
A short film about looking at art
Directed by Azazel Jacobs
Creative: TAXI
Flash required

79. Raymond Jonson’s
“Composition Four -- Melancholia”
by Malcom

80. Meet Kermit

81. Ten Podcasting
Ingredients

82. 1) Choose an artwork from the
collection of the Smithsonian
American Art Museum and
dedicate time to observing and
researching it

83. 2) Determine who your
audience is

84. 3) Develop your personal
“voice” and use it to write and
edit a script before recording

85. 4) Generate an introductory
“hook” to spark interest in your
listeners

86. 5) Pose observations and
questions inviting listeners to
look

87. 6) Provide nugget(s) of
pertinent information about the
artwork

88. 7) Consider mentioning a
connection to your subject
(e.g., historical or literary
reference)

89. 8) End with an interesting
closing, leaving your listeners
wanting more

90. 9) Speak clearly when recording
and be mindful of ambient noise

91. 10) Aim for approximately two
minutes of recording (about
250-300 words, depending on
the inclusion of other audio)

92. Let’s get started

93. Disclaimer
• While we are using specific tools and teaching a
workflow using those tools, the lessons learned
can be applied to any recording device and
editing software.
• Our use of these tools does not mean
constitute an endorsement of these products.
You can record audio just as easily on your cell
phone or right into your computer as you can
on the iPod Touch.

94. My Philosophy #1:
K.I.S.S.

95. Keep it Short and Simple

96. Keep it Short and Simple
• As complexity increases, so does production
time

97. Keep it Short and Simple
• As complexity increases, so does production
time
• Aim is to keep the learning curve as shallow as
possible

98. Keep it Short and Simple
• As complexity increases, so does production
time
• Aim is to keep the learning curve as shallow as
possible
• Add bells and whistles as time and comfort
zone permits

99. Five Main Tasks

100. Five Main Tasks
• Record using Voice Memos app

101. Five Main Tasks
• Record using Voice Memos app
• Transfer recording using iTunes

102. Five Main Tasks
• Record using Voice Memos app
• Transfer recording using iTunes
• Import into Audacity

103. Five Main Tasks
• Record using Voice Memos app
• Transfer recording using iTunes
• Import into Audacity
• Edit in Audacity

104. Five Main Tasks
• Record using Voice Memos app
• Transfer recording using iTunes
• Import into Audacity
• Edit in Audacity
• Trim

105. Five Main Tasks
• Record using Voice Memos app
• Transfer recording using iTunes
• Import into Audacity
• Edit in Audacity
• Trim
• Move

106. Five Main Tasks
• Record using Voice Memos app
• Transfer recording using iTunes
• Import into Audacity
• Edit in Audacity
• Trim
• Move
• Export to MP3

107. The Object of the
Exercise

108. The Object of the
Exercise
• You won’t leave here being the next podcasting
maven.

109. The Object of the
Exercise
• You won’t leave here being the next podcasting
maven.
• But you could be!

110. The Object of the
Exercise
• You won’t leave here being the next podcasting
maven.
• But you could be!
• Some of the most popular podcasts began in
someone’s basement.

111. The Object of the
Exercise
• You won’t leave here being the next podcasting
maven.
• But you could be!
• Some of the most popular podcasts began in
someone’s basement.
• e.g. The Leaky Cauldron’s “PotterCast.”

112. The Object of the
Exercise
• You won’t leave here being the next podcasting
maven.
• But you could be!
• Some of the most popular podcasts began in
someone’s basement.
• e.g. The Leaky Cauldron’s “PotterCast.”
• Remember, as the Good Book says:

113. Don’t Panic

114. My Philosophy #2:
Keep it Free

115. Free is your friend

116. Free is your friend
• Low budget ≠ low quality

117. Free is your friend
• Low budget ≠ low quality
• Many free tools available

118. Free is your friend
• Low budget ≠ low quality
• Many free tools available
• Audacity

119. Free is your friend
• Low budget ≠ low quality
• Many free tools available
• Audacity
• Apple’s iLife suite (bundled with every Mac)

120. Free is your friend
• Low budget ≠ low quality
• Many free tools available
• Audacity
• Apple’s iLife suite (bundled with every Mac)
• Voicethread

121. Free is your friend
• Low budget ≠ low quality
• Many free tools available
• Audacity
• Apple’s iLife suite (bundled with every Mac)
• Voicethread
• Prezi

122. My Philosophy #3:
Have a Plan

123. Create a Gameplan

124. Create a Gameplan
• Know what you want it to sound like

125. Create a Gameplan
• Know what you want it to sound like
• Script it

126. Create a Gameplan
• Know what you want it to sound like
• Script it
• Stay flexible

127. Create a Gameplan
• Know what you want it to sound like
• Script it
• Stay flexible
• Setbacks will occur

128. Create a Gameplan
• Know what you want it to sound like
• Script it
• Stay flexible
• Setbacks will occur
• Interviewee gave a fantastic quote

129. Create a Gameplan
• Know what you want it to sound like
• Script it
• Stay flexible
• Setbacks will occur
• Interviewee gave a fantastic quote
• Didn’t hear the A/C unit kick in until we
were reviewing the material.

130. Elements of a quality
podcast

131. Hook

132. Hook
• Mentioned earlier, but bears repeating

133. Hook
• Mentioned earlier, but bears repeating
• A good hook will grab the listener’s attention

134. Hook
• Mentioned earlier, but bears repeating
• A good hook will grab the listener’s attention
• I favor pop culture references

135. Hook
• Mentioned earlier, but bears repeating
• A good hook will grab the listener’s attention
• I favor pop culture references
• e.g. using Ocean’s 12 to introduce subject of
Fabergé Eggs.

136. Hook
• Mentioned earlier, but bears repeating
• A good hook will grab the listener’s attention
• I favor pop culture references
• e.g. using Ocean’s 12 to introduce subject of
Fabergé Eggs.

137. Music

138. Music
• Intro, bump, outro

139. Music
• Intro, bump, outro
• Fade in/out

140. Music
• Intro, bump, outro
• Fade in/out
• Watch length

141. Music
• Intro, bump, outro
• Fade in/out
• Watch length
• Too long and you’ll bore your audience

142. Music
• Intro, bump, outro
• Fade in/out
• Watch length
• Too long and you’ll bore your audience
• Most importantly...

143. Keep it Royalty Free

144. Keep it Royalty Free
• Fair-use is a mine-field, especially when
publishing online

145. Keep it Royalty Free
• Fair-use is a mine-field, especially when
publishing online
• Good sources (see Ning for links):

146. Keep it Royalty Free
• Fair-use is a mine-field, especially when
publishing online
• Good sources (see Ning for links):
• The Free Sound Project

147. Keep it Royalty Free
• Fair-use is a mine-field, especially when
publishing online
• Good sources (see Ning for links):
• The Free Sound Project
• Absolute Sound Effects Archive

148. Keep it Royalty Free
• Fair-use is a mine-field, especially when
publishing online
• Good sources (see Ning for links):
• The Free Sound Project
• Absolute Sound Effects Archive
• Internet Archive

149. Interviews

150. Interviews
• Both live and pre-recorded

151. Interviews
• Both live and pre-recorded
• Live: traditional Q&A

152. Interviews
• Both live and pre-recorded
• Live: traditional Q&A
• Pre-recorded: sound bites

153. Interviews
• Both live and pre-recorded
• Live: traditional Q&A
• Pre-recorded: sound bites
• Additional voices enliven even a short podcast

154. Interviews
• Both live and pre-recorded
• Live: traditional Q&A
• Pre-recorded: sound bites
• Additional voices enliven even a short podcast
• Make sure you introduce the speaker

155. Content

156. Content
• Know your audience

157. Content
• Know your audience
• Ocean’s 12 for a kid-oriented podcast?

158. Content
• Know your audience
• Ocean’s 12 for a kid-oriented podcast?
• Use humor sparingly

159. Content
• Know your audience
• Ocean’s 12 for a kid-oriented podcast?
• Use humor sparingly
• Effective tool, but runs risk of becoming too
jokey

160. Content
• Know your audience
• Ocean’s 12 for a kid-oriented podcast?
• Use humor sparingly
• Effective tool, but runs risk of becoming too
jokey
• Avoid in-jokes, esoteric humor

161. Examples Abound!

162. Examples Abound!
• Interwebs, iTunes,YouTube,Vimeo

163. Examples Abound!
• Interwebs, iTunes,YouTube,Vimeo
• Also:

164. Examples Abound!
• Interwebs, iTunes,YouTube,Vimeo
• Also:
• Radio

165. Examples Abound!
• Interwebs, iTunes,YouTube,Vimeo
• Also:
• Radio
• TV

166. Examples Abound!
• Interwebs, iTunes,YouTube,Vimeo
• Also:
• Radio
• TV
• Inspiration can come from unlikely sources

167. Who is comfortable with digital
recording and editing tools?

168. This could be you

169. To Recap:

170. What you will
learn

171. What you will
learn

172. What you will
learn
Record
Transfer
Import
Edit
Export

173. But First:
Hands-on iPod Demo
• Turning the iPod on/off
• Plugging in the microphone
• Plugging in the headphones
• Volume controls

174. Step 1: Record the Audio
(hands-on)

175. Voice Memos
• Blue icon on the iPod Touch
•Tap and you’ll see the image on the
right

177. Record Button

178. Record Button
Sound Meter

179. Go to Voice
Record Button Memos
Sound Meter

181. Record
Button
becomes a

182. Top turns red
Record
Button
becomes a

183. Top turns red
Record
Button
becomes a Stay out
of the
red

184. Top turns red
Record
Button
becomes a Stay out
of the
red
Hit pause button to stop recording

185. For best
recording

186. For best
recording
•Hold approx. 6” from
mouth

187. For best
recording
•Hold approx. 6” from
mouth
•Speak slowly and
clearly

188. For best
recording
•Hold approx. 6” from
mouth
•Speak slowly and
clearly
•Use an external mic

189. Go to your
voice

191. Touch this
triangle for
playback

192. This
Touch this
triangle
triangle for
leads you
playback
astray

193. This
Touch this
triangle
triangle for
leads you
playback
astray

194. Step 2: Transferring the
recording to iTunes
(hands-on)

195. Step 3: Importing into
Audacity

196. Step 3: Importing into
Audacity
• Step 1: Sync with
iTunes

197. Step 3: Importing into
Audacity
• Step 1: Sync with
iTunes
• Step2: Find recording
in Voice Memos folder

198. Step 3: Importing into
Audacity
• Step 1: Sync with
iTunes
• Step2: Find recording
in Voice Memos folder
• Step 3: Drag and drop
file from iTunes to
Audacity

199. Step 3: Importing into
Audacity
• Step 1: Sync with
iTunes
• Step2: Find recording
in Voice Memos folder
• Step 3: Drag and drop
file from iTunes to
Audacity
• Works with audio,
sound effects, music

200. Step 4: Editing in
Audacity (hands-on)

201. But first: save your
project!

202. But first: save your
project!
• Save right to the desktop

203. But first: save your
project!
• Save right to the desktop
• Naming convention: lastname_podcast
(e.g. ubik_podcast)

204. But first: save your
project!
• Save right to the desktop
• Naming convention: lastname_podcast
(e.g. ubik_podcast)
• The MP3 you export will have the same
name.

205. But first: save your
project!
• Save right to the desktop
• Naming convention: lastname_podcast
(e.g. ubik_podcast)
• The MP3 you export will have the same
name.
• The presentation you create will have a
similar name (e.g. ubik_presentation.ppt)

206. Basic Editing

207. Basic Editing
• Two techniques:

208. Basic Editing
• Two techniques:
• Trim

209. Basic Editing
• Two techniques:
• Trim
• Move

210. Basic Editing
• Two techniques:
• Trim
• Move
• Just like a word processor!

211. Basic Editing
• Two techniques:
• Trim
• Move
• Just like a word processor!
• More advanced (as comfort level permits):

212. Basic Editing
• Two techniques:
• Trim
• Move
• Just like a word processor!
• More advanced (as comfort level permits):
• Recording into Audacity

213. Basic Editing
• Two techniques:
• Trim
• Move
• Just like a word processor!
• More advanced (as comfort level permits):
• Recording into Audacity
• Music

214. Basic Editing
• Two techniques:
• Trim
• Move
• Just like a word processor!
• More advanced (as comfort level permits):
• Recording into Audacity
• Music
• Multiple Tracks

215. Audacity Editing Cheatsheet
is available on Ning!

216. Step 5: Exporting MP3
(hands-on)

217. Finis!

218. But wait! There’s more!

219. VoiceThread
(hands-on)