Podcasts are
gaining popularity among adults and children for the entertainment value and the
information content they provide. Rodgers (2018) states,
“that exploding popularity explains why school and youth librarians are
embracing podcasts” (Prime Time for Podcasts, para. 3). In this bog post I will share my review of three
podcasting platforms, ideas for using podcasts in the library, and where you
can find and follow educational podcasts.
Let’s jump
right in. The first podcast platform I
reviewed is Podbean.
Podbean
Podbean offers basic podcasting for
free. First, create a username and
password to start your free account. You
cannot record directly in Podbean. You
must create your audio recording first and then upload it to Podbean. It sounds fairly simple. Right?
I used Podbean about 6 months ago for a class assignment. At that time, I created an audio recording of
my voice using the Windows sound recorder on my computer. Without any complications I was able to save
the file, upload it to Podbean, and publish the podcast. This time around it was not so simple. I attempted to repeat the same steps, but
this time I got the dreaded error message!
Ok, so what now? Using Podbean Support Center online, I quickly
learned that Windows Media Audio or WMA files are not supported on Podbean. I needed to convert to a supported file format;
mp3,
m4a, mov, mp4, m4v and pdf. This extra
step is a bit of a pain. I was able to convert
my WMA file to a mp3 using Free Video Converter Online. Click here to view website.
Finally, success. I was able to upload
the mp3 audio file. I wanted to polish
up the audio file to make it more presentable.
Maybe add some music or sound effects.
Nope. I did not find these
editing capabilities on Podbean. Podbean
is great for posting and sharing your podcast, but not good for editing. Here are some other pros and cons to
consider.
Podbean pros:
- Offers free basic account. Perfect for beginners.
- Provides a basic page with URL which can serve as your main website page or you can link it to another webpage for listeners to access your podcast.
- Schedule podcast posts for future date.
- Monetize through advertisement, subscriptions, or crowd funding.
- Statistical data provided for each podcast.
- Automatically share your podcast to your social media accounts.
Podbean cons:
- Cannot record using the podcast platform. Previously recorded audio files must be uploaded.
- Podcast editing features are limited.
- Windows media files not supported for download into Podbean.
- Storage is limited to 100GB per month for the free account. This allows for approximately 100 minutes of podcast.
- Upgrades will cost you $9/monthly for Unlimited Audio account, $29/monthly for Unlimited Plus account, and $99/monthly for a Business account.
Anchor
Anchor is the second podcast
platform I reviewed. For a class assigned
group project we created a podcast about The Packhorse Initiative. Click link below to listen to our group podcast in Anchor.
Anchor is a free podcast platform. It was easy to use and offered some nice
features. The first thing you will need
to do is set-up a free account. After
you have your username and password you can start a podcast recording. A great feature of Anchor is that you can
record your podcast directly in the platform.
There is no need to record the audio file and then upload it. That means there is no threat that your file
format will be rejected, like with Podbean.
Plus, you can record in segments that can later be edited and arranged
in any order. I was able to insert intro
music, sound effect, and rearrange segments of the podcast. I found music and sound effects using Freesound.org. Freesound is collaborative database of
Creative Commons Licensed sounds. Click here to view website. Overall, I had a good experience using Anchor. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider.
Anchor pros:
- Free to use
- iOS and Android apps available
- Published podcasts directly post to Apple Podcasts (aka iTunes), Google Play Music, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, and other selected platforms
- Monetize your podcast
- Custom Anchor URL to share or embed
- Select music from the Anchor library or add your own audio files
- Record directly from Anchor platform
- Record podcast in segments and then rearrange in any order
- Podcast with a cohost
- Podcast editing options available in mobile app
- Distributes podcast to major podcast platforms
Anchor cons:
- Desktop editing is limited on Anchor website. Full editing features are available using Anchor app.
- Anchor submits your podcast to all major platforms with one click. After accepting, I was unable to determine how to revoke permission. For serious podcasters this may be a benefit. For me, I’m just getting started and don’t really want my podcast on these platforms.
Audio Boom
Audio Boom was my third podcast
platform to review. I started by creating a username
and password. After confirming my email,
I ran into a road block. Audio Boom does not offer a free account. Wah, wah, waaaah. Here are your options.
I made a sample podcast on the other platforms I reviewed. This allowed me to get an understanding of
how the platforms worked and to identify pros and cons. I was not able to do that with Audio Boom. I will do my best to review Audio Boom without
having used it. Here are some pros and cons to consider.
Audio Boom pros:
- Customize page with logo
- Podcast analytics
- Automatically post to social media
- Distribute podcast to major podcast platforms
Audio Boom cons:
- No free account. A plan will cost $9.99/monthly for Standard or $19.99/month for Plus Plan
- While they allow unlimited episodes on each plan, they limit the total number of listens. This is an additional worry that you would not have if you used one of the other reviewed platforms.
After reviewing each podcast platform, I would recommend Anchor. It is free to use, you can record from within the platform, and it offers the best editing features.
Podcasting for the Library
Podcasting is a great tool for
sharing information. How can podcasts be
used in the library? Here are some ideas.
Share library news
Share student projects
Author interviews
Book talks
Podcasting after school club
Students create podcast to share
learning
Share podcasts to provided information during instruction
Record lesson/information for on demand listening
Educational Podcasts
Podcasts are great tool for sharing
information about and for the library, but they are also great tool for
professional development. Teachers can always use something new to add to their
bag of tricks. Right? So, where can you find educational
podcasts? The honest answer is, all over
the place. There are so many podcast
platforms out there. Each one peppered
with podcasts on various education related topics. To simplify your search review recommendations
from experienced educators. Follow the links below to find education
podcasts that may interest you.
Click here for 36 Educational Podcast to Energize Your Teaching from FusionYearbooks http://www.fusionyearbooks.com/blog/educational-podcasts/
Click here for 16 Fantastic Podcasts for Teachers from Shake Up Learning https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/16-fantastic-podcasts-for-teachers/
References:
Burgess, A. (2017, August 31). The women who rode miles on horseback to
deliver library books. Retrieved from https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/librarians-horseback-new-deal-book-delivery-wpa
Fifield, J. (2018, April 7). Bookmobiles alive and kicking in Kentucky
which has more than any other state; 75 are on the road. Retrieved from https://www.nkytribune.com/2018/04/bookmobiles-alive-and-kicking-in-kentucky-which-has-more-than-any-other-state-75-are-on-the-road/
McGraw, E. (2017, June 21). Horse-riding librarians were the Great
Depression’s bookmobiles: During the Great Depression, a New Deal program
brought books to Kentuckians living in remote areas. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/
Rodgers, L. (2018, February 2). Prime time for podcasts. Retrieved from https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=prime-time-podcasts
University of Kentucky (n.d.) Packhorse librarians in Kentucky WPA project
1936 – 1943 [photographic collection]. Retrieved from http://www.kywcrh.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/WPA-Project-pack-horse-librarians-in-kentucky-1936-43.pdf
VCU Libraries Social Welfare History
Project. (1937) WPA traveling libraries:
A speech in 1937 [transcript].
Retrieved from https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/great-depression/wpa-travelling-libraries/
I record audio with PodBean twice, but I could only do it using my cell phone. Have you tried that? Also, I am very interested in Anchor. I read several blog (probably from your group members) about the tool. It is new to me. From what I read on the blogs and seen, it looks great. Good job on the blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Heather! I’ll try recording on my phone next time.
DeleteThanks for all of the information! I just love to read all of your pros and cons! It makes it easier to determine which program to use to meet our purposes.
ReplyDeleteWe also had a bit of trouble getting our file to upload and share correctly. We created ours in Garage Band, which saved it as an m4a video file. We had to convert it to a .wav file to add the music and then discovered that we had to convert it again to an .mp3 file to be able to upload it to Podbean. It was definitely a learning experience! However, through this process, it made me realize the value of good podcasts...I even found several educational podcasts that I want to follow!
I’m glad you were able to overcame the converting files challenge too. I’m curious, how did you convert your files?
DeleteI ended up using Cloud Convert through the Google Drive. (Under the "Open With" drop-down menu.)
DeleteWell, yet again, Angela, I LOVE IT! Great pros and cons too! I second what Heather says about Podbean. Using your phone or tablet to record with the app is pretty easy! Give it a try whenever you get a second...I know, it is hard sometimes to find that second! ha! :)
ReplyDeleteI also thought Anchor was pretty cool! I am eager to try it out with students next year when I return from maternity leave!
Thanks for sharing!
Time is a precious commodity, but I will try using the phone app next time. Thanks for the tip. Maternity leave, exciting! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI too could only record using Podbean using my iphone instead of my Chromebook. I found it way easier to use my iphone once I downloaded the app. I was able to save, re record, and add features to the podcast as I saw fit. I do now appreciate your pros and cons list of the other podcast tools for my future use! Great job!
ReplyDeleteLibrary news! So I have thought about this many times and your recommendation just enforces it. I am a huge fan of podcasts and always think about starting my own. I think a local library news cast is a great place to start and could incorporate some fun student participation.
ReplyDelete