Podcasting for Teens

By Brodart

Teens, more than any other age group, are using technology to stay in touch with current events, pop culture and each other. Libraries and schools are currently providing teens with opportunities for podcasting to help them build literacy and Internet skills. Young people are eager to embrace the technology used to create content-rich podcasts and, when their podcasts are made public, teens are quickly connected to the world around them.

Merriam Webster defines podcast as “a program (as of music or talk) made available in digital format for automatic download over the Internet.” You can search for and manually download a podcast just like you would an MP3 file. Or, you can automatically receive podcasts using Really Simple Syndication, or RSS feeds. To do this, simply subscribe to a podcast series and, every time you go online, the podcasts you’ve subscribed to are automatically downloaded to your computer or personal audio player.

Librarians are utilizing podcasts for library promotions, book reviews, reading incentive programs and more while, in the classroom, educators use podcasts to share school news, advertise upcoming events, or even replay the highlights of a recent football game. More importantly, however, schools and libraries are encouraging teens to create and share their own podcasts. Examples include interviews, dramatizations of creative writing, and chronicles of their own research.

It’s easy for teachers, librarians and teens to create their own podcasts. First of all, gather the needed hardware and software, the easiest being a computer with a microphone and speakers and an application that records sound. Next, decide on the content and consider adding music or sound effects to keep listeners engaged. Practice speaking until you’re confident that the session flows smoothly in a natural, conversational style. Record the podcast using software that generates an MP3 audio file. Listen to the podcast and get feedback by sharing it with your peers. Finally, link the audio file with an RSS feed so others can subscribe. You can submit it for public posting on a podcast directory service such as iTunes Music Store, Podcast.net, or PodcastPickle.

Provide your students and patrons with access to podcasting and encourage them to become competent and ethical users of this new technology. Discover the new selection of podcasting products from Brodart and help teens get connected to the world around them in this exciting new way.

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