Podcasting

Podcasts are an easy way to share academic information or creative content with others (Edstrom, 2011). In this context, we will refer to podcasts as audio files. Podcasts distribute work by generating and maintaining a list of all the audio or video files associated with a given series on a centrally controlled server (Blackboard course). The end listener (student) employs special client application software that can access this web feed, check for updates, and download any new files in the series.

There are numerous ways you can add podcasts to your online courses. The quickest way is to record audio by using your voice recorder or smart phone, and allows you to record your lecture to a SoundCloud server, and then link it to your Blackboard course. Scroll down for further instructions on utilizing SoundCloud.   

Audacity

Before uploading your audio file, you should clean up the recording if necessary. Audacity is a free tool that will allow you to do basic and advanced audio editing.

 Follow these to upload an audio file to your Blackboard course:

  1. Open the course/folder where you wish to create podcast.
  2. Make sure that “Edit Mode” is set to ON.
  3. Click on Build Content > Audio.
  4. Name your Podcast.
  5. Select “Browse my Computer” and locate the file you wish to upload.
  6. Click “Submit”.
  7. Your podcast should appear on the bottom of the page. 

SoundCloud

SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform based in Berlin, Germany that enables its users to upload, record, promote and share their originally-created sounds and recordings (Wikipedia, 2014).

You can use SoundCloud to record and host your lectures at the same time. To do this, you will need to create an account on SoundCloud. Please view this video for instructions on how to open up an account and record your first lecture.

Here is an example from an EKU professor:


Citations

Edstrom, B. (2011). Recording on a Budget : How to Make Great Audio Recordings Without Breaking the Bank. New York: Oxford University Press.