Podcasting Project; Library & Biography

Please work on your podcasts. If you have completed your outline (this was due last class!) and you have conducted your research (yes, this was also due last class!)--you should be ready to record your podcast.


If your computer has a sound card (not sure these do...) you might use Adobe Soundbooth to record your podcast.


You might also use your cell-phones. Yes, for this project you can use your cell-phones to record your voices. Note: you will need to convert these files into MP3 or MP4 files to access them on our computer.


You may use the video recording equipment we have. Again, you will need to convert and upload into MovieMaker (not a great option, but the one we have available to us in the lab...)


If you prefer, you and your peers might find it easier (and quieter) to record your podcast at home with your own computer equipment. Whatever you decide, you will need to be able to EDIT your sound file so that you can include INTRO/OUTRO sound clips, sound effects (if needed), and, of course, your own voices.


TIPS/IMPORTANT POINTS:
When recording your Podcast:

• You should be prepared to edit your conversation to remove any mistakes or flubs or digressions. Transitions (places where you stopped and started) can be made easily with a sound cue to mask the mistake.
• Record each topic or section separately to make it easier to edit. Long 3-minute files are harder to cut up and edit. Also, mistakes. See point above.
• Make sure you are not recording in a noisy area. White noise from air conditioners or street sounds or accidental phone calls, noise from radios/transistors or media can ruin your take.
• Speak clearly. Make sure you can be heard on your audio recording clip before you continue.
• Before you begin your podcast episode, make sure you introduce and identify the different speakers in your group. If you are working alone, you still want to say hello to listeners and mention who you are.
• Feel free to give your Podcast Program a title or name. "This American Life" for example is a title of the show. You'll note that a podcaster will remind listeners about what they are listening to.
• You can indicate what your next episode will be if you don't want to talk about all the points you are making--or if the conversation becomes too long. For our project, we're PLAYING with the form so you can learn it and do it whenever you want as an option when "writing" for the media. You don't have to solve the world's problems today in a short audio clip.

If you are having difficulties with equipment ask someone knowledgeable about how to fix the problem. Or look it up online. Or ask.


Now for something...not completely different, but different:
1. Go to the library.
2. Pick up the biography Paul Robeson by Scott Ehrlich.
3. Read the book. As you read, note how Scott Ehrlich writes about his subject. What parts of Paul Robeson's life are spotlighted? How is he portrayed by the author as a person? What kinds of research went in to writing this book?
4. If you can't work or don't want to work on your Podcast, be quiet and read.


HOMEWORK: Read the biography Paul Robeson by Scott Ehrlich. Bring your books with you to next class.