#23 Podcasts, Smodcasts!

The word podcast is used to refer to a non-musical audio or video broadcast that is distributed over the Internet. What differentiates a podcast from regular streaming audio or video is that the delivery method for podcasts is often done automatically through RSS.

In 2005, "podcast" was named the "word of the year" by New Oxford American Dictionary and with the growth of podcasting since then, it's easy to see why.

Podcasts take many forms, from short 1-10 minutes commentaries (like the ones by Helene Blowers that we've listened to in this Learning 2.0 program) to much longer in-person interviews or panel group discussions. Several traditional broadcast media outlets (such as NPR and BBC) also offer podcasts. There’s a podcast out there for just about every interest area and the best part about this technology is that you don’t have to have an iPod or a MP3 player to access them. Since podcasts use the MP3 file format, a popular compressed format for audio files, you really just need a PC (or portal device) with headphones or a speaker.

iTunes, the free downloadable application created by Apple, is the directory finding service most associated with podcasts, but if you don’t have iTunes installed there are still plenty of options.

For this discovery exercise participants are asked to take a look at some popular podcast directory tools. Do some exploring on your own and locate a podcast that is of interest to you. Once found, you can easily pull the RSS feed into your Bloglines account as well, so that when new casts become available you’ll be automatically notified of their existence.

Discovery Resources
Listen to PLCMC's podcast about podcasts.

Watch the What is a Podcast? video tutorial.

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

• Podcast.net
  
• Podcastalley.com
  
• Podfeed.net
• LearnOutLoud

Discovery Exercise

1. Take a look at one or two of the podcast directories listed and see if you can find a podcast that interests you. See if you can find some interesting library-related podcasts, like book review podcasts or library news.
   
2. Add the RSS feed for at least one podcast to your Bloglines account
   
3. Create a blog post about your discovery process. Did you find anything useful here?

Discover More
What? You want to learn how to be a podcaster too? Here are some additional resources you can use to learn how to create podcasts.

• All the World's a Podcast - how-to article by WebMonkey
  
• Beginner's guide to Podcasts & Creating Podcasts
• How to podcast tutorial

If you're really ambitious, use the Odeo Studio to create an audio post!

#20 Discovering Other Web 2.0 Tools

Throughout the course of this Learning 2.0 program we’ve explored just a small sampling of these new internet technologies and websites that are empowering users with the ability to create and share content. But, given time, there are so many more we could explore. There are currently hundreds of web 2.0 tools available with only a handful emerging as market dominators. And although time will only tell which of these new collaborative, social networking and information tools will remain on top, one thing is for sure, they're not going to go away (at least anytime soon).

For this discovery exercise, participants are asked to select any site from this list of Web 2.0 Awards nominees and explore it. With so many to choose from, it might be handy to first select a category that interests you (like Books or Personal Organization) and then simply select a tool/site to explore. Be careful to select a tool that is Free and that doesn't require a plug-in or download. The majority of these free, so this shouldn’t be a problem.


Discovery Exercise

1. Select any site/tool from the list of Web 2.0 Awards nominees. (If you prefer to select from just the winners, here’s a link to the short list.)
   
2. Explore the site you selected.
   
3. Create a post about your discovery. What did you like or dislike about the tool? What were the site’s useful features? Could you see any applications for its use in a library setting?

Web 2.0 – so much to explore! (Just start with ONE!)

#2 Lifelong Learning

The LPLS Learning 2.0 program is based on the original Learning 2.0 program developed by Helene Blowers at PLCMC. Before starting this exercise, please take a minute (and a half) to listen to a podcast by Helene, then return to this blog entry. (The podcast is hosted at ODEO and does not require additional software to listen. Click on the > button to start the podcast.)

Among libraries, lifelong learning is one of those core values we shelve our books by. So it makes sense that before we embark on this new online learning and discovery journey that we should take a few minutes to review a few habits that can assist in creating lifelong learners.

These habits, which PLCMC calls the Seven and 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners, will provide you with a refresher on what it means to be a lifelong learner.

Discovery Exercise:

1. Make sure you have headphones or speakers attached to your computer.
2. Open up the 7 & 1/2 Habits online tutorial and view the online tutorial (15 minutes long).
3. As you watch and listen, think about which habit among the 7 & 1/2 that is easiest for you and which is hardest. You will use your personal blog (which you will set up next week) to post your thoughts about lifelong learning.

Note: To view the attachments in the online tutorial, you will need to disable any pop-up blockers.

Have fun! If you haven't jumped on board yet, it's never too late to become a lifelong learner.