Podcasts - some Do's and some definitely Don'ts

Those benefitting from the success of Apple Inc must be in a similar (but wealthier) mood to those of Hoover in the last century.

PICTURES FROM SURARCHI AND FRANKIE242 AT FREEDIGITALPHOTOS.NET

The PODCAST has become synonymous with the provision of a digital audio or video file (VODCAST) made available on the Internet for downloading or streaming to a computer or mobile device.  It was just the same for Hoover - a name for many vacuum cleaners made by many alternative manufacturers.

But to achieve a watchable and useful podcast/vodcast we must bear some key points in mind.

1. Keep it short - as long as it needs to be but no longer.  Nothing to do with the attention threshold of the average student but the power of the message.  Just ask PechaKucha fans whether they can get their message across best in a set of 20, 20-second slides or a 2-hour lecture.
2. Use pictures, diagrams or charts rather than words.  Your voice provides the words.
3. Speak faster than you normally would.  You'll need to rehearse this aspect but it does sound surprisingly natural when played back.
4. Focus on ONE thing - this helps you to do number 5.
5. Keep it short.

That's about it.

Basic software packages to record and edit your PODCAST/VODCAST abound - so there's no need to get put off by the technology.

Go on, give it a go and see how that 2-hour lecture can actually boil down to 10 or 15 minutes of powerful input.  Then put your feet up and wonder what you can do with the rest of the time you have saved...