Podcasts

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Podcasts are super popular today! There are podcasts over many topics, and viewers of all ages can find some that are most relevant to them or engaging. Did you know that podcasts can be used in school libraries? There are many benefits to them, but first, users need to choose an appropriate podcast host platform to publish them on!

BUZZSPROUT
I've never heard of Buzzsprout until today. It consists of an excellent free plan for podcast hosting. Users can get up to 2 hours of audio for free. Episodes can be easily created and be available to many different places. Buzzsprout also helps with the transition to get podcasts on iTunes or Spotify. This would be an excellent platform to use if completely new to the podcasting world.

SOUNDCLOUD
I've always heard people say, "Check out my songs on Soundcloud!", but I never looked into how the platform works. Turns out, this platform is pretty easy to use! It is a good podcast host option, but I believe it's more to host music. Users are allowed 3 hours of upload time through the basic account. Any audio formats can be easily uploaded, and from there, creators have the chance to connect with the community and gain a fan base. It is indeed very popular!

PODBEAN
I've used Podbean in the past, and I can honestly say that it is super easy to use. The steps to creating a profile and creating episodes are very simple, especially for first-time podcast creators. After creating episodes, users have the option to download, share, or embed their podcast player to a website. With the basic plan, users are able to use 5 hours of storage space. There are different upgrade options available that allow more storage space, player customization, the chance to monetize, etc. I could see myself probably paying to upgrade in the future so I can continue creating podcasts for my library! Since this is the platform I am most comfortable with, I uploaded a podcast I created with a group of fellow SHSU MLS students. The topic is about how school libraries today differ from school libraries in the past! It was edited through Garage Band before uploaded and published. Check it out by clicking the link below! :)

https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-kid29-e3a04e

USING PODCASTS FOR AND IN THE LIBRARY
I really enjoyed creating a podcast regarding a topic in the school library world. I really see myself starting up one to advocate for my library, promote upcoming events, collaborate with teachers, and even collaborate with other school librarians. With the right equipment and right upgraded plan, I can upload, publish, and easily share my podcasts with my school's community. In addition to this, I would like to maybe invest in some podcast equipment for my media center or a maker space area for students. Students can create collaborate with each other and create podcasts over elements involving the school library or literacy. It can be challenging to train students how to properly use the equipment and how to work a platform, but it's totally doable! Not only is this going to be engaging to the students, but it will also help with their listening and oral skills and give them independence when it comes to creative learning.

EDUCATIONAL PODCASTS
Check out some educational podcasts to help you get started on your own for your library and/or for your classroom teachers!

School Library Podcasts: https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/two-podcasts-created-by-and-for-school-librarians/

Podcasts for Teachers: https://www.weareteachers.com/must-listen-podcasts/

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 18, 2020 at 9:25 AM

    I've also never heard of BuzzSprout, but I will have to check it out because it sounds like it provides alot of opportunities for the free account! This was the major issue that I encountered with alot of podcast softwares - many of them did not offer a variety of options for the free account, almost forcing you to use the paid upgrade!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amparo's Book ReviewsJuly 18, 2020 at 1:12 PM

    Hello, I really enjoyed listening to your podcast! Got me thinking of what the library looked like when I was a child too and it looks completely different. I like the way it is now and how librarians have transformed to fit the needs of our students now. Thanks for sharing! I also agree with you on Podbean being an easy webapp that students can easily use.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Leo MorenoJuly 18, 2020 at 1:39 PM

    I also liked the ease of use with Podbean, I think I will switch over from Soundcloud. I am using the audio-technica mic AT2020. I found it a music store and it is ideal for simple podcasting or Vlogging, since it is uses a USB to connect to your computer.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrMN-0bXwPM

    ReplyDelete
  4. iLove LibrariesJuly 19, 2020 at 7:31 PM

    I enjoyed listening to your podcast! Yes, school libraries are not going away anytime soon!
    Thank you for taking me back to memory lane. It made me appreciate our current libraries even more so!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Milissa BeechemJuly 20, 2020 at 10:58 AM

    Great podcast I liked the content and the group participation. The music into was nice, I also found the music intro and added it to my second podcast. I know we did not need to include one but I wanted to showcase that feature.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amy GutierrezJuly 22, 2020 at 3:28 PM

    Lovely podcast, my group found Podbean to be the easiest web application as well! I have created a few podcasts for book discussions in class, and my students really enjoyed them, especially the auditorial learners. I can't wait to use some of the ideas you listed in my future library! Podcasts are great resources and learning tools!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Leslie PerezJuly 23, 2020 at 10:00 AM

    I really liked your podcast and how you all were together in it! We also used Podbean to be the easiest because it is one that we have worked with before. I believe Podcasts will be of great use in the library to promote and advocate for it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Christina CrabtreeJuly 29, 2020 at 11:39 AM

    I never realized how beneficial podcasts could potentially be in a library. We also used Podbean because we found it to be the easiest to navigate. I really liked your ideas for what we could incorporate into podcasts, and I look forward to trying it this year.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dyan MarekJuly 30, 2020 at 2:25 PM

    It would be fun to see what your students create in their podcasts. Getting to use your newly purchased equipment would be such a boon, that I bet many of them would want to try it out!

    ReplyDelete

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