The term podcast has become very popular over the last few years. It is important when using these terms that people have a similar frame of reference. So here are some terms that have sometimes been interchangeable but are actually quite different:
- MP3- An digital recording of audio. Probably the most popular format for most users.
- WMA-Windows Media Audio. Microsoft's version of a digital audio recording.
- Podcasting- A hybrid of the words iPod and broadcast. This term is often used interchangeably with other types of audio formats, but it would be more accurate to think of it as an ongoing "program" that users may subscribe to. Podcasts may be downloaded in various formats but is generally a series of "episodes". When making a podcast you will want to find a way for users to subscribe in someway, generally via an RSS feed through a blog or via iTunes.
Making an audio recording available to others for download does not a podcast make ;-)
With that said, here are some audio tools you may want to consider when developing instructional content.
Turn your blog into a podcast. Turns text into an audio file.<
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Myna (part of Aviary) is an online audio mixer. Completely web-based which means your students can start a project on a school computer and finish it on their home computers. Check out the demo video. |
There are times when you'd like to share a presentation with others but just the slide show itself isn't always enough to give the full effect of your lesson.
* SlideShare - Allows users to record audio tracks for presentations.
Upload and share your PowerPoint & Keynote presentations, Word & PDF documents on SlideShare. Add audio to make a webinar. Capture leads with your presentations.
We have all had students who get a lot more out of a text when following along with the audio version of books we use in class.
* AudioOwl- Free Audio Books
Text to Speech (TTS) resources:
- VozMe- Narration is not quite as natural sounding as some of the others, but it's web-based, free, and downloadable as an MP3;
- Text2Speech- Same pros & cons as VozMe;
- Read the Words (create a free account), Download, embed, podcast, email your new audio files. Free member recordings will not exceed 30 seconds;
- Text-To-Speech (limited to 1000 characters at a time, no account required);
- Configure and Use TTS in Windows XP or Vista;