Sunday, February 24, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Podcasting Guidelines
How to build a 10 minute podcast
The first rule of podcasting is that there are no rules in podcasting. Trust that rule, and you'll have a lot less stress in your life.
I've created guidelines for creating short, organized shows that can help you either get started in podcasting or organize your existing podcast into manageable, predictable chunks. As a society, people have become conditioned over generations to expect certain patterns in radio-like content. Podcasting is no exception. Even if your podcast sounds like radio, the most important piece of the podcasting puzzle is that it's made by everyday folk.
With this model I've created, there is room for flexibility and expandability in the event that you are either missing some of these elements or have longer content (like interviews) that tends to take up more space.
The 10 Minute Podcast Recipe
These are not time codes, they are lengths of time for each segment.
00:10 date/promo/tease/banter/ad
Some believe in identifying the show and the date at the beginning of the podcast. Others like starting off with an endorsement. You can even state the underwriter of the show in ten seconds (think of the public television model). What we had done with many of our older pre-podcast shows, was lead in with banter or commentary that happens before the show officially starts.
QUICK TIP: Stressed about saying 'um' and 'ahh'? Don't be. You're human. Relax. Just don't do it in the intro to your show. You should never, ever, ever, ever have a reason to hesitate when you are saying your name and your show. It's an absolute! Practice saying, "Hello, my name is ____, and welcome to _____, the show about ______ and _____!"
00:20 theme music/intro
If having a theme song feels too 'produced' for you, take note that one thing is certain: everyone needs to know who you are, what your show's name is, what it's about. Creating a theme song or intro gives you an audible sound or brand that gets recognized over and over again. Consistency is key.
00:60 preview
The :60 preview is derived from the old rule of thumb for giving a presentation: Tell them what you're going to tell them (followed by 'tell them' and 'tell them what you told them') This is only 90 seconds into the podcast, and is the only time that needs to be invested if your specific show's topic is not of interest for the listener. After this preview window, a listener will either stay or go. (Note: this pertains to people who automatically download your show as opposed to picking your show a la carte based on the the show notes/show summary posted around your show on your blog or web site.
00:30 ad/promo
If you don't have an advertiser or sponsor, or perhaps don't have an interest in advertising, then use this additional 30 second window for the preview or for your show's content. If you do have a sponsor, use this 30 second window to speak the ad. Only use a pre-produced spot from an advertiser IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE THAT IT WILL FIT WITH YOUR LISTENERS. Generally speaking, the higher the relevancy or the funnier the advertisement, the less offensive it can be (this is a rule of moderation, which does not accommodate the fringe of advertising-haters).
05:00 small stories/top story
The type of podcast you are making will dictate how you approach this first five minutes. If you have a more linear approach (no set topics, more free-flowing), then start with the little content first--the trivial, the amusing, the less-serious--leading into the main piece of information you are delivering (whether it's an interview, a major comment on current events). In the model of the 10 minute podcast, this space could be filled with just one piece of content.
00:30 IDENTIFY
Take a break. Podcasting is still young, and we're seeing podcast content distributed over real-time channels like satellite and terrestrial radio. In these environments, there is very little time-shifting hardware on the market (note: it is my belief that 'time-shifting' is a term used to describe the pausing and resuming of content that is happening in real-time, and using 'time-shifting' to describe the on-demand nature of podcasting is inaccurate).
Identifying who you are, what the show is, what the email address/phone number is, will help those that might come into your content mid-way. And it's a good, non-intrusive way to take a breath. It helps you get to your point faster and reduces the chances of rambling (unless your show's very nature is to ramble ;-)
02:00 feedback/secondary stories If you solicit feedback and interaction from your listeners (and I highly encourage you do). If you have secondary content, commentary on something you might cover on a future show, or have something else outside of the episode's main focus, do it in this window.
00:15 thank sponsor Again, if you don't have a sponsor, then add this to the previous block of time. If you do, be sure to thank them and point people to the sponsor's web site.
00:15 outro End the show, whether it's by voice or by playing a 'closing theme', something that's similar to your podcast's intro (consistency!).
Congratulations, you've reached the 10 minute mark. If you want to be a little bit more creative and extend the show, add some music. Music provides a nice break between podcasts and gives your listener the ability to keep everything playing while he or she goes for a refill on coffee.
Again, I stress that these are guidelines and not a decree. Have fun and build upon them and do something that feels right for you. YOU know your content and you know WHO is listening.
The first rule of podcasting is that there are no rules in podcasting. Trust that rule, and you'll have a lot less stress in your life.
I've created guidelines for creating short, organized shows that can help you either get started in podcasting or organize your existing podcast into manageable, predictable chunks. As a society, people have become conditioned over generations to expect certain patterns in radio-like content. Podcasting is no exception. Even if your podcast sounds like radio, the most important piece of the podcasting puzzle is that it's made by everyday folk.
With this model I've created, there is room for flexibility and expandability in the event that you are either missing some of these elements or have longer content (like interviews) that tends to take up more space.
The 10 Minute Podcast Recipe
These are not time codes, they are lengths of time for each segment.
00:10 date/promo/tease/banter/ad
Some believe in identifying the show and the date at the beginning of the podcast. Others like starting off with an endorsement. You can even state the underwriter of the show in ten seconds (think of the public television model). What we had done with many of our older pre-podcast shows, was lead in with banter or commentary that happens before the show officially starts.
QUICK TIP: Stressed about saying 'um' and 'ahh'? Don't be. You're human. Relax. Just don't do it in the intro to your show. You should never, ever, ever, ever have a reason to hesitate when you are saying your name and your show. It's an absolute! Practice saying, "Hello, my name is ____, and welcome to _____, the show about ______ and _____!"
00:20 theme music/intro
If having a theme song feels too 'produced' for you, take note that one thing is certain: everyone needs to know who you are, what your show's name is, what it's about. Creating a theme song or intro gives you an audible sound or brand that gets recognized over and over again. Consistency is key.
00:60 preview
The :60 preview is derived from the old rule of thumb for giving a presentation: Tell them what you're going to tell them (followed by 'tell them' and 'tell them what you told them') This is only 90 seconds into the podcast, and is the only time that needs to be invested if your specific show's topic is not of interest for the listener. After this preview window, a listener will either stay or go. (Note: this pertains to people who automatically download your show as opposed to picking your show a la carte based on the the show notes/show summary posted around your show on your blog or web site.
00:30 ad/promo
If you don't have an advertiser or sponsor, or perhaps don't have an interest in advertising, then use this additional 30 second window for the preview or for your show's content. If you do have a sponsor, use this 30 second window to speak the ad. Only use a pre-produced spot from an advertiser IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE THAT IT WILL FIT WITH YOUR LISTENERS. Generally speaking, the higher the relevancy or the funnier the advertisement, the less offensive it can be (this is a rule of moderation, which does not accommodate the fringe of advertising-haters).
05:00 small stories/top story
The type of podcast you are making will dictate how you approach this first five minutes. If you have a more linear approach (no set topics, more free-flowing), then start with the little content first--the trivial, the amusing, the less-serious--leading into the main piece of information you are delivering (whether it's an interview, a major comment on current events). In the model of the 10 minute podcast, this space could be filled with just one piece of content.
00:30 IDENTIFY
Take a break. Podcasting is still young, and we're seeing podcast content distributed over real-time channels like satellite and terrestrial radio. In these environments, there is very little time-shifting hardware on the market (note: it is my belief that 'time-shifting' is a term used to describe the pausing and resuming of content that is happening in real-time, and using 'time-shifting' to describe the on-demand nature of podcasting is inaccurate).
Identifying who you are, what the show is, what the email address/phone number is, will help those that might come into your content mid-way. And it's a good, non-intrusive way to take a breath. It helps you get to your point faster and reduces the chances of rambling (unless your show's very nature is to ramble ;-)
02:00 feedback/secondary stories If you solicit feedback and interaction from your listeners (and I highly encourage you do). If you have secondary content, commentary on something you might cover on a future show, or have something else outside of the episode's main focus, do it in this window.
00:15 thank sponsor Again, if you don't have a sponsor, then add this to the previous block of time. If you do, be sure to thank them and point people to the sponsor's web site.
00:15 outro End the show, whether it's by voice or by playing a 'closing theme', something that's similar to your podcast's intro (consistency!).
Congratulations, you've reached the 10 minute mark. If you want to be a little bit more creative and extend the show, add some music. Music provides a nice break between podcasts and gives your listener the ability to keep everything playing while he or she goes for a refill on coffee.
Again, I stress that these are guidelines and not a decree. Have fun and build upon them and do something that feels right for you. YOU know your content and you know WHO is listening.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Class assignment for February 5, 2008
INFORMATION NEEDED BEFORE YOU PROCEED:
PLEASE SIT WITH YOUR COUNTRY TEAM PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE ACTIVITY!
Ethiopia Jonathan Cheung, Ama Kwakye, Rachel Geissler, Michela Infantino, Mariel Elia
Jordan John Harden, Bernard Jones, Samantha Goodman, Maria Gonzalez, Ashley Aydin
Israel Lianna Inzarillo, Veronica Geager, Dominique Johnson, Melissa Laurore, Michelle Shed
India Janell McBean, Katherine McGrann, Steven Rivera, Jaclyn Mallozzi, Sarah Berfond
Sudan Kaitlin Moriarty, Maria Vasquez, Emily Marks, Kristina Catanese, Anam Baig
(If your name is missing, please see the teacher covering the class and make sure you are added to a group. DO NOT switch groups if you see your name.)
So, here we are. My first absence and I am trusting you will all conduct yourselves as if I were there. I have told you that your assignment will be waiting for you on the blog and here it is, posted for you all.
Materials needed: computers with internet access; group list.
Time Allotted: Two full class periods. You will not be finished on Tuesday, this will continue Wednesday.
Introduction:
Water is essential to all forms of life on earth and it is central to many of the world's religions. Although most of the world's surface is composed of water, only 1% of that water is fresh water. As the world's population grows, as available sources of fresh water begin to disappear, or as nations pollute the water supply, a lack of fresh water will no longer remain an isolated issue. It threatens the quality of human life by causing crop failures, transmitting water-born diseases, and creating violent conflicts as governments, unable to cope with such complex economic and social issues, become more aggressive in an effort to satisfy their peoples or search for 'scapegoats' to justify their own failed policies.
World Bank officials have suggested that the next world war might very well be fought, not over oil or politics, but over water. As world population figures increase and water resources become more scarce, water will become a matter of national security. Where problems caused by access to fresh water become mixed up with religion and power politics, the situation can become explosive.
How can the world prepare itself to deal with problems as these? One way to understand better the importance of water on politics is to focus on a few countries where the situation is becoming acute and to simulate the problem solving process which might be used by world leaders.
Task:
In the following simulation you will first be organized into what diplomats refer to as a 'country team'. You will examine the forces which shape policy within that Third World nation, examine the problem of water scarcity globally, come to consensus on a national water policy, write a proposal to solve the problem, and, finally, debate the various proposals prepared by your classmates in a simulation of a United Nations Task Force set up to resolve issues related to water scarcity.
Ask yourself the following questions to help you identify with your role as a citizen of the world.
What do you think it would be like to live where you did not have adequate water to survive?
How would you survive?
How would you feel if a country which bordered yours began to build a dam that would divert water upon which you depended for survival to serve the citizens of that other country?
What problems would such a dam create within your country?
How do you think leaders of your government might respond to such a move on the part of the neighboring government?
Can these problems be solved by organizations like the United Nations ?
What happens if citizens from your country begin to invade the borders of another in search of scarce resources?
Resources:
The issue of managing the world's water sources is not just important to scientists. It is vital to your survival and is likely to affect the way you will be living in the 21st century. But, you may ask, where do I look for the specialized information I need? Below are a few suggestions which all of you are expected to read and study:
Managing fragile ecosystems:Combating desertification and drought
http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/SUSTDEV/EPdirect/EPre0031.htm
Stage One:
Read the articles assigned for the entire class, and identify a few of the most serious problems which are connected to water rights.
Stage Two:
The class will be divided into 'country teams' (see above) and you and your team will represent one of the following developing nations:
Ethiopia
Jordan
Israel
India
Sudan
At this stage of the process you must begin to gather information about your assigned country which will help you understand its problems and represent its viewpoint effectively. This information might include:
identifying your major sources of fresh water;
identifying any problems which your nation is having such as ethnic conflicts within your nation or disagreements with other countries in your region;
briefly describe how decisions are made in your country
Stage Three:
Part A
The members of your team or delegation will be composed of individuals who have special responsibilities or roles to perform. These are listed below. Assign the specific jobs indicated below and complete the tasks assigned to that 'character'. The success of the coming debate will depend on how well you play your part. Since there are more roles than group members, I would like you to decide, as a group which roles you will research together.
Delegate to the United Nations
The Environmentalist
The Human Rights Activist
The National Leader
The Religious Leader
The Zero Population Growth Expert
Part B
After reading the links assigned to your 'character', meet in a 'job alike' (that is, with those who were assigned the same character as you in other countries). In the 'job alike' phase, discuss the information you gathered, your viewpoint,and your assigned task. The purpose of this phase is to make sure that you can be a strong advocate for your character's views and insure that the discussions and debate which follow will have sufficient depth and complexity to reflect the real world situtation.
Part C
Now return to your country teams. The National Leader is to guide the discussion at this stage. Every member of the group should be a strong advocate for your viewpoint as you develop a consensus on about 4-5 points which you believe your nation can support in a resolution.
Stage Four: In your country team, formulate a position in the form of a United Nations Resolution which proposes a workable way to solve the problem of water scarcity while insuring that each (Your delegate to the United Nations should be prepared to teach you the correct format!)
Stage Five
Defend your nation's position in an imaginary United Nations Committee meeting.
Stage Six
After completing the United Nations simulation, we will conduct a 'debriefing' in class to evaluate what you have learned about the importance of water to sustainable communities and make some observations about policy options.
PLEASE SIT WITH YOUR COUNTRY TEAM PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE ACTIVITY!
Ethiopia Jonathan Cheung, Ama Kwakye, Rachel Geissler, Michela Infantino, Mariel Elia
Jordan John Harden, Bernard Jones, Samantha Goodman, Maria Gonzalez, Ashley Aydin
Israel Lianna Inzarillo, Veronica Geager, Dominique Johnson, Melissa Laurore, Michelle Shed
India Janell McBean, Katherine McGrann, Steven Rivera, Jaclyn Mallozzi, Sarah Berfond
Sudan Kaitlin Moriarty, Maria Vasquez, Emily Marks, Kristina Catanese, Anam Baig
(If your name is missing, please see the teacher covering the class and make sure you are added to a group. DO NOT switch groups if you see your name.)
So, here we are. My first absence and I am trusting you will all conduct yourselves as if I were there. I have told you that your assignment will be waiting for you on the blog and here it is, posted for you all.
Materials needed: computers with internet access; group list.
Time Allotted: Two full class periods. You will not be finished on Tuesday, this will continue Wednesday.
Introduction:
Water is essential to all forms of life on earth and it is central to many of the world's religions. Although most of the world's surface is composed of water, only 1% of that water is fresh water. As the world's population grows, as available sources of fresh water begin to disappear, or as nations pollute the water supply, a lack of fresh water will no longer remain an isolated issue. It threatens the quality of human life by causing crop failures, transmitting water-born diseases, and creating violent conflicts as governments, unable to cope with such complex economic and social issues, become more aggressive in an effort to satisfy their peoples or search for 'scapegoats' to justify their own failed policies.
World Bank officials have suggested that the next world war might very well be fought, not over oil or politics, but over water. As world population figures increase and water resources become more scarce, water will become a matter of national security. Where problems caused by access to fresh water become mixed up with religion and power politics, the situation can become explosive.
How can the world prepare itself to deal with problems as these? One way to understand better the importance of water on politics is to focus on a few countries where the situation is becoming acute and to simulate the problem solving process which might be used by world leaders.
Task:
In the following simulation you will first be organized into what diplomats refer to as a 'country team'. You will examine the forces which shape policy within that Third World nation, examine the problem of water scarcity globally, come to consensus on a national water policy, write a proposal to solve the problem, and, finally, debate the various proposals prepared by your classmates in a simulation of a United Nations Task Force set up to resolve issues related to water scarcity.
Ask yourself the following questions to help you identify with your role as a citizen of the world.
What do you think it would be like to live where you did not have adequate water to survive?
How would you survive?
How would you feel if a country which bordered yours began to build a dam that would divert water upon which you depended for survival to serve the citizens of that other country?
What problems would such a dam create within your country?
How do you think leaders of your government might respond to such a move on the part of the neighboring government?
Can these problems be solved by organizations like the United Nations ?
What happens if citizens from your country begin to invade the borders of another in search of scarce resources?
Resources:
The issue of managing the world's water sources is not just important to scientists. It is vital to your survival and is likely to affect the way you will be living in the 21st century. But, you may ask, where do I look for the specialized information I need? Below are a few suggestions which all of you are expected to read and study:
Managing fragile ecosystems:Combating desertification and drought
http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/SUSTDEV/EPdirect/EPre0031.htm
Stage One:
Read the articles assigned for the entire class, and identify a few of the most serious problems which are connected to water rights.
Stage Two:
The class will be divided into 'country teams' (see above) and you and your team will represent one of the following developing nations:
Ethiopia
Jordan
Israel
India
Sudan
At this stage of the process you must begin to gather information about your assigned country which will help you understand its problems and represent its viewpoint effectively. This information might include:
identifying your major sources of fresh water;
identifying any problems which your nation is having such as ethnic conflicts within your nation or disagreements with other countries in your region;
briefly describe how decisions are made in your country
Stage Three:
Part A
The members of your team or delegation will be composed of individuals who have special responsibilities or roles to perform. These are listed below. Assign the specific jobs indicated below and complete the tasks assigned to that 'character'. The success of the coming debate will depend on how well you play your part. Since there are more roles than group members, I would like you to decide, as a group which roles you will research together.
Delegate to the United Nations
The Environmentalist
The Human Rights Activist
The National Leader
The Religious Leader
The Zero Population Growth Expert
Part B
After reading the links assigned to your 'character', meet in a 'job alike' (that is, with those who were assigned the same character as you in other countries). In the 'job alike' phase, discuss the information you gathered, your viewpoint,and your assigned task. The purpose of this phase is to make sure that you can be a strong advocate for your character's views and insure that the discussions and debate which follow will have sufficient depth and complexity to reflect the real world situtation.
Part C
Now return to your country teams. The National Leader is to guide the discussion at this stage. Every member of the group should be a strong advocate for your viewpoint as you develop a consensus on about 4-5 points which you believe your nation can support in a resolution.
Stage Four: In your country team, formulate a position in the form of a United Nations Resolution which proposes a workable way to solve the problem of water scarcity while insuring that each (Your delegate to the United Nations should be prepared to teach you the correct format!)
Stage Five
Defend your nation's position in an imaginary United Nations Committee meeting.
Stage Six
After completing the United Nations simulation, we will conduct a 'debriefing' in class to evaluate what you have learned about the importance of water to sustainable communities and make some observations about policy options.
Friday, February 1, 2008
World Leaders and Social Networking
Welcome to your first homwork assignment!
As discussed in class, I am asking that you create an online Social Networking profile using myspace.com. You are to select from the personalities of the world leaders we mentioned. Some are listed here:
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Fidel Castro
Vladimir Putin
Ariel Sharon
Saddam Hussein
Kim Jong-il
George Bush
Queen Elizabeth II
Hugo Chavez
As discussed in class, I am asking that you create an online Social Networking profile using myspace.com. You are to select from the personalities of the world leaders we mentioned. Some are listed here:
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Fidel Castro
Vladimir Putin
Ariel Sharon
Saddam Hussein
Kim Jong-il
George Bush
Queen Elizabeth II
Hugo Chavez
Remember our discussions regarding what goes into an online profile:
Your leader's name
Create a screen name
Would this person list their birthdate or age range? If so, would it be accurate or embellished?
What type of picture would this person use to portray their personality? Would it be a recent photo, an old photo, an icon, an avatar, etc?
What political or religious views might be conveyed in the profile?
Is this person married, single, divorced? Would he or she tell the truth lie about his or her status?
What privacy settings would this person use to control this profile? Would he or she allow open access or require selective availability?
DETAILS
What adjectives would you use to describe this person's behavior? How might this subject's personality affect the information found in this profile?
What are the person's strengths and weaknesses? How might these weaknesses be recast as strenghts for an online networking profile?
What education, if any, would this character or person list?
How might this person describe his or her work?
What might be listed under the prompt "What are you doing right now"?
NETWORKS AND GROUPS
What other people would be part of this person's network or group?
What would other people write in their comments to this person?
FOR FUN
What personal info would be listed? Include activities, interest, music, tv shows, movies and books, and fav. quotes.
What photos or videos would be posted to the profile? (explanantions can be written)
What virtual gifts would this person have received?
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