What is a
podcast?A podcast
is simply an audio program (typically
a talk show format) made available for download
through the Internet. Once downloaded,
the podcast episodes (usually encoded
in the MP3 format) can then be listened
to on a computer or MP3 player. While
audio files have been available for
download from the Internet for some
time now, what makes podcast audio files unique
lies in how they are disseminated.
Podcast files are included in XML-based
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) "feeds" (lines
of code), which make it possible for listeners
to subscribe to and automatically download
new episodes as they are uploaded
to the Internet. Think of it as subscribing
to a magazine: You subscribe once and
new issues automatically arrive in your
mailbox as they are published. Unlike
magazines, the vast majority of podcasts
are free.
After podcast episodes are downloaded
onto your computer, you can then transfer
them to an MP3 player, such as an iPod
(hence the name) and listen to them
anytime, anywhere. A popular analogy
is to think of podcasts as TiVo for
radio.
Podcasts do not have to be listened to on an iPod.
Any device that can play MP3 files, including your computer, is capable
of playing podcasts encoded in the MP3 format.
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What's the "XML" icon for?
When you encounter a Web page featuring an XML icon, it means that the page offers a feed (as described above) to which you are able to subscribe. Clicking on the XML icon will produce a Web page that reveals the contents of the feed. To many people, it will look like a bunch of computer geek nonsense. However, you can use the page's URL to subscribe to the feed in a podcast receiver (if it's a podcast feed).
If you'll be using Apple's iTunes to subscribe to CareerChat (recommended),
you needn't concern yourself with the XML icon. The simple, two-step CareerChat subscription
process for iTunes is described below. If you'll be using an alternative podcast receiver, such as Juice, paste the URL http://feeds.feedburner.com/CareerChat into the application's podcast subscription entry field.
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How can I subscribe to the CareerChat
podcast?
It's easy to subscribe to the Career Chat podcast feed and automatically receive new episodes as they are posted.
The first thing you'll need to do is
download and install a podcast receiver
application (podcatcher). Apple's iTunes
6 is a good choice, as it is available
for free on both Mac and Windows platforms
and many people already have it installed
on their computer. If you don't already
have the program, you can download
the latest version of iTunes
from Apple's Web site (you will need
to restart your computer after installation).
After installing iTunes,
1. Click
here to launch the CareerChat podcast page in iTunes. You may also click on the iTunes "chicklet"  featured at the top of our podcast episode and FAQs pages to complete this step.
2. Click the "Subscribe" button.
Congratulations! You are now subscribed to the CareerChat podcast.
At this point, iTunes will download the CareerChat podcast episodes and list them in the iTunes podcast directory. You will be shown the name of the podcast, the time (length of podcast), the date the podcast was released and a brief description of the podcast.
Click the triangle to the left of the CareerChat entry to reveal the episodes available in the podcast. In the screen shot below, there is one episode ("Successful Interviewing") available, and it is 12 minutes and 45 seconds in length. Double-click the episode to hear it.
As a subscriber to the CareerChat podcast, iTunes will automatically check for
and download new episodes as they become available. You can adjust how iTunes
checks for and downloads episodes by accessing the preferences panel under
the "Edit" menu. 
Click the "Podcasts" tab to adjust the settings. 
iTunes will not notify you when new CareerChat episodes are downloaded. You
will need to periodically check the program's podcast directory for new
episodes. You may also click the "Update" button in the top right of the iTunes
podcast window at any time to instantly check for and download new episodes.
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How can I transfer episodes to my MP3 player?
If you have a portable MP3 player other than an iPod, you should direct Windows Media Player to the iTunes Podcasts folder for synchronization.
If you have an iPod, simply sync your iPod (plug your player into your computer's
USB port) and launch iTunes (If you don't already have iTunes installed and configured to receive the CareerChat podcast, see subscription instructions). Access the iTunes preferences panel under the "Edit" menu.
Click the "iPod" and "Podcasts" tabs to adjust how you would like podcast episodes
transfered to your iPod.
The iPod Settings default to "Do not update Podcasts." "Automatically update all Podcasts" will transfer every episode of every podcast to your iPod. You may also select specific podcasts which automatically sync to your iPod. Further update adjustments may be made by selecting "Only checked episodes," "Only most recent episode" or "Only unplayed episodes." It may not be a good idea to select the "Keep: All unplayed episodes" option within iTunes' Podcasts preferences tab and then configure your iPod so that episodes are updated automatically. This is because iTunes considers an episode as having been played even if you play only a few seconds of that episode. Consequently, the next time you sync your iPod, the episode will vanish from both iTunes and your iPod. Thus, selecting "Keep: Last 5 episodes" should give you ample opportunity to finish older podcasts.
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Where can I find more information on Podcasting?
PoducateMe.com offers a wealth of information on Podcasting and its value to higher education. You'll learn:
- Finding and downloading podcasts
- Selecting appropriate podcasting equipment and software
- Recording, editing and polishing your podcast
- Creating an "enhanced" podcast containing links and graphics
- Uploading your podcast to the Internet
- Creating a podcast blog
- Sharing podcasts with your students
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