How to Create and Publish a Podcast

A podcast is an mp3 file that can be downloaded and played on any MP3 player or computer. Now you can listen to more than just music on your MP3 player, you can get the latest news, listen to a short story, an educational lecture....

In this exercise you will create your own podcast. The first step is to decide on something worthwhile to record, a proverb, favorite poem, words of advice, a joke....

Here is a sample podcast.

The Software:
1. Download Audacity and install it on your computer. You will need to login as comprep to gain administrative access. If you need help with the installation process here is a tutorial for the process - How to Download and Install Audacity Be sure you also install the LAME MP3 encoder.

2. Obtain a set of headphones with a mic from your instructor. Attach the headphones to the back of the computer, the leads are color coded. You will need to tell the computer what you hooked up, a wizard should pop up when you connect the headphones and mic. Check to be sure your mic is working properly by going to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder. Click on the Record button and speak into the mic, you should see the sounds being recorded. Stop and then click on the play button. Troubleshoot your setup if needed until you can record sound.

3. Play the Audacity Tutorials. Unfortunately there is not a pause button on the video so you may want to take some notes during the tutorials. Follow the directions provided to get Audacity setup and to learn how to use audacity.

4. Create a short simple podcast. The podcast should include background music (www.download.com) that fades in at the beginning of the podcast and fades out at the end. Be sure the music does not interfere with your words.

5. Export your audacity project as an MP3 and then upload it to your personal web page. Play the podcast for your instructor for teacher check.

6. Congratulations you have created and published to the world a podcast.