web 2.0 communication tool Podomatic

Review of a communication Web 2.0 tool

 Podomatic http://www.podomatic.com Podcasting 

Podomatic is a podcasting web 2.0 communication tool. It is free and easy for a non-professional user.

It allows anyone with computer, internet access and microphone to distribute recorded information.  No other outside equipment needed to listen, record or distribute. With it comes 500MB of storage and Band with 15GB per month.

Signing up for free Podomatic  membership is easy as knowing your name, email address, birthdate, gender, create a user name and password and you’re off and recording. The welcome message will invite you to do try an episode, which is what the podcast are referred to.

You need only a computer, network connection and microphone. Once you follow the prompts to title your episode and write a description of the podcast you intend to make press continue; you are ready to record. No audacity or recording software needed only your microphone attached to your computer. Within seconds you are recording. My first attempt at using it was unsuccessful, thinking my description would be visible to use for my recording. After pressing continue I realized there was no visible script to prompt or read. My attempt after writing a short 45 second sentence was successful. Being able to save the podcast once created on my computer and with Podomatic was easy. (Once your first episode is done you are up graded to a 30 day free PRO membership).  Anyone can do it with basic click, follow the prompts and recording skills.

(Insert Screen shoots)

Like having a select radio broad cast at my deposal for free, on demand and available to all interested person .

Clicking on all the tools in Podomatic, under podcast I found a list by categories and ventured into education where I found a podcast I listen to and enjoyed.  After listening I thought how much more I would have enjoyed the episode if there had been some visuals associated with the presentation.    Subscribing to be a follower of a particular podcaster was just as easy as signing up for Podomatic. I was able to post a comment to the producer of the podcast.

How to Use the tool:

1.       Locate Podomatic from the web site http://www.podomatic.com

2.       Click on sign up for free membership

3.       Enter name ,email address ,password, gender

4.       In the welcome message click learn more

5.       Create an Episode

6.       Attach your microphone

7.       The next screen prompts you to enter a title

8.       Write a description of the episode( optional) writing one doesn’t provide information for you to use in recording

9.       Press save and  continue

10.   Next Select Audio or video clip

a. Upload a file

                          b. Selections from your Media Library

                          c. Record using webcam or Microphone

                       d. Transfer from your desktop using FTP(advanced)

                       e. I don’t want to select audio or video. Skip this step

             11.   Record

12.   Attach and Image

13.   Attach media to this episode

14.   Review and Publish

15.   Promote

The advantages of using Podomatic in a teaching environment

                Ease of use, free, fast

Ability of students to comment

Bring into the environments the element of music

Allow for communication and exchange on the students time

Way of interviewing outside speakers and having students listen review and comment

Disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment

                The lack of visuals during a pod cast.

 Even though there is the ability to attach an image or

Attach media to this episode it’s not done with the same easy the audio is done.