What is Podcasting?

Podcasting is the merging of two technologies: Downloadable media (audio, usually) and RSS.

Downloadable media is simply a file (such as MP3) stored on a server that users can download and listen to. RSS is a technology that allows a user to subscribe to a podcast and have episodes automatically downloaded to their computer.

Ready for a Quick Start? See these links:

Getting Started with ASU on iTunes U
and our List of Suggested Equipment (available in PDF for Download)

Creating Podcasts at ASU, Overview

Podcasts at ASU may be used for either general public information such as promotional materials, guest lectures, public events, etc. or for delivering course content (lectures, videos, even digital print materials) to registered students.

ASU on iTunes U
ASU on iTunes U provides a user friendly, accessible podcast distribution mechanism for the ASU community. ASU on iTunes U leverages the Apple iTunes U infrastructure to facilitate storage and distribution of ASU podcast content; making it is possible for every ASU faculty member and researcher to effectively and efficiently provide podcast course material to students, colleagues, fellow researchers--the global community.

ASU on iTunes U, a Step-by-Step Guide to ASU podcast distribution

1. Determine if your podcast will be for Public or Private distribution. Public content may be downloaded by anybody, and is most suitable for guest lectures, promotional materials, and the like, while Private content may be restricted to a select group of ASURITE ID holders (e.g., course lectures intended for only registered students of the course)

2. Determine who will be responsible for maintaining your ASU on iTunes U podcast "Course/Channel". ASU on iTunes U content may be maintained by one or more individuals, so long as they have an ASURITE ID.

   Two Primary "Roles" are allocated for maintaining ASU on iTunes U content:

   • The "Instructor" Role has full editing privileges, including organizing the structure, content, and graphics of an ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel
   • The "TA" Role has the ability to upload and delete content in pre-defined areas designated by the Instructor
   • FYI, other Roles within the ASU on iTunes U environment presently include "Student," "All" (the general public), and "Authenticated/Unauthenticated." These Roles are primarily related to downloading content rather than uploading and maintaining content. It is not necessary to identify these Roles during your request, but they are mentioned here merely for informational purposes as such terminology may be present in other related ASU on iTunes U documentation.
   • ASURITE ID's are required for associated roles of Instructor and TA within ASU on iTunes U

3. Request your ASU on iTunes U "Course/Channel" using the ASU Course Request online web form located at http://my.asu.edu/courserequest
   • NOTE: Not all ASU on iTunes U podcasts need to be associated with an ASU Course. However, ASU on iTunes U is related to other ASU 'Learning Management Systems' such as Blackboard and Sakai as part of the overall ASU Distributed Learning Platform, and therefore the same ASU mechanism (my.asu.edu/courserequest) is used to establish and administer related environments and associated roles such as "Instructors" and "TA's" within each.

   Presently, the output ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel requests from my.asu.edu/courserequests notifies staff within the ASU University Technology Office, who will create your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel within the Apple environment. You may be contacted personally for additional information to verify that your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel is created in the most suitable manner possible.

4. Access to ASU on iTunes U Courses and Channels

   Instructor/TA Editing

   • Once your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel has been created, you may access it for Editing and for Uploading Content using the "ASURITE" button located on the ASU iTunes U home page (itunes.asu.edu). As either an Instructor or TA you will be able to Edit your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel and Upload content using the provided links with ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel that will only appear to Instructors and TA's. Additionally, as an Instructor you may select the "Edit Page" links and the "Edit Access" links which provide additional tools for adjusting the organizational structure, graphics, and access to you ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel.

   Private - Student Downloading of Content

   • If you have identified your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel as 'Private' then only registered students enrolled in the ASU Course associated with the designated ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel will be able to see and download content. These students will also need to login to ASU on iTunes U using the the "ASURITE" button located on the ASU iTunes U home page itunes.asu.edu.
   • Additionally, you may place a link directly to your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel on any web page (e.g., within Blackboard or Sakai) which will take students directly to your content after their identity (their ASURITE ID) has been verified. [Tip: Right Click on any content within an ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel to "Copy iTunes URL" to obtain the link to be placed in an external web page]

   Public - General Public Downloading of Content
   

   • ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel that is available for Public distribution may be accessed using either the "ASURITE" button located on the ASU iTunes U home page itunes.asu.edu or the "PUBLIC" button also located on the ASU iTunes U home page itunes.asu.edu. Direct links on external web pages to Public content may be made as well.

Recording Equipment

Download the "PodcastGear" PDF

These equipment packages are viable for recording quality audio to be used for podcast programming. Content may include educational programming, public presentation materials, as well as research and/or other distributed media applications.

Simple, effective, and inexpensive recording of a Single Source

• Existing personal computer with audio input capabilities (most all newer computers meet this requirement) $N/A
• Audio Recording and Editing Software such as Audacity ($Free)
• Built in microphone, or inexpensive digital USB or Analog headset/microphone ($10.00 - $20.00)

Presenter Audio Only

• Wireless lavalier (lapel) mic (Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series - $499.99)
• Multi-channel audio mixer (Yamaha MG102 - $99.00)
• Digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD660 - $499.95)
• Assorted cabling

Mixed Recording of Presenter and Audience Questions

• Wireless handheld mic (Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series - $499.99)
• Wireless lavalier (lapel) mic (Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series - $499.99)
• Multi-channel audio mixer (Yamaha MG102 - $99.00)
• Digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD660 - $499.95)
• Assorted cabling

Podcast Host Only

• Studio mic (Heil PR40 - $269.95)
• Multi-channel audio mixer (Yamaha MG102 - $99.00)
• Digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD660 - $499.95)
• Assorted cabling

Podcast Host and Interview Subject

• Two studio mics (Heil PR40 - $539.90)
• Multi-channel audio mixer (Yamaha MG102 - $99.00)
• Digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD660 - $499.95)
• Assorted cabling

These recommendations are provided as a general guide, and do not represent all possible or reasonable options. Similar equipment is available from a wide variety of manufactures and vendors. Generally, the suggested price ranges will be fairly consistent among different manufactures of similar equipment.

Creating ASU on iTunes U, Podcast Content

ASU on iTunes U supports a wide range of digital media content, including Audio, Video, and even Digital Print materials such as PDF.

You may create your content using any number of media specific applications. Content is uploaded into your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel using "Upload Files" link in iTunes which will launch a standard web browser and form used to manage your ASU on iTunes U files.

Audio files can be in AAC or MP3 format with the appropriate file extension (.m4a or .mp3). Video files can be in MPEG-4 or H.264 format with the appropriate file extension (.mp4, .m4v, or .mov). PDF booklets must have the .pdf extension.

For audio files, Apple recommends the following:

• Audio Format: AAC-LC (Music)
• Data Rate:128 kbits/sec
• Channels:Stereo
• Output Sample Rate:44.100 kHz
• Encoding Quality:Better

For video files,Apple recommends the following:

• Video Format:H.264
• Data Rate:256 kbits/sec
• Image Size:320 x 240
• Frame Rate:30
• Key Frame:Every 24 frames

Metadata and Tagging

Content distributed through ASU on Tunes U can include additional information fields, that can be used to describe the content, provide additional links, identify the creator, associate rights holder, and more. This information is referred to as metadata and is useful for searching, retrieving, and organizing rich media content. Some of the metadata information fields are quite robust, such as the "Lyrics" and may be used to contain a considerable amount of associated text (e.g., course notes, transcripts, or additional readings).

Questions, comments, and feedback may be sent to podcast-q@asu.edu