Audio and Video Podcasts

Podcasting Facts:

• Podcasting does not require an iPod (or an Apple iOS device!).
• Podcasts are most usually audio files, but more and more today include video or pictures.
• Podcasting uses a technology called RSS to subscribe to new content that podcasting authors produce—this means that to make use of the “automatic,” subscription-based feature of podcasting, you need an RSS-aware program on your computer.

For those of you who have a fair number of digital devices in your home, podcasting is like indie radio + TiVO + a pair of headphones. All you really need, however, is a computer connected to the Internet.

Podcasting really took-off in 2004. Former video-DJ Adam Currie (of MTV fame) helped popularize this new format. Some of the most popular podcasts today are repackaged radio programs. Yet, the simplicity of this technology can allow almost anyone the ability to self-broadcast with a podcast. Starting in October of 2005, we’ve begun podcasting in Goochland.

How to Listen, and Subscribe, to Podcasts

With all technologies new, there’s a learning curve until the technology is simplified. Apple has built in a podcatcher right into iTunes! This enables millions of folks to easily and conveniently subscribe to podcasts using the iTunes music program on both Macs and PCs. To get started, you will need iTunes on the Mac or a Windows PC. iTunes is available as a free download from Apple.

So, let’s assume you have iTunes installed. Next, you need our Goochland Podcasting URL: this file tells iTunes what is available on our “show.” Within iTunes, go to the Advanced menu, and select “Subscribe to Podcast.”

In the window that appears, type in: http://www.glnd.k12.va.us/podcasts/TechnologyTimesLive.xml. I know, it’s long. Yet, that’s it. You can also control-click on this link (right-click for Windows users), select “copy link” and paste the URL into iTunes. Once subscribed, iTunes will download the latest podcast from Goochland’s server. If you would like to hear older podcasts, you can also click the “Get” buttons next to older podcasts.

Once downloaded, these podcasts will live on your computer. As we produce new podcasts, iTunes will automatically download them (when iTunes is running) and have them ready. If you happen to own an iPod, well, iTunes can also put these podcasts on your iPod for listening away from your computer. Users with other MP3 players can also listen to our content on their players, as well.

Today, you will find many podcasts attached to teacher blog posts.

iTunes Podcast Directory

You can also find our podcast, TechTimesLive! through the podcasting directory within iTunes. You can a search for "Goochland" and be sure to subscribe!

Beginning in 2011, we have an iTunes U storefront! Follow this link to access even more Goochland-produced content through iTunes U. iTunes U is a distribution system for courses, multimedia, and eBooks that is supported beyond your computer on an iOS device such as iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch.

Central Office Podcasts

Our first podcast, TechnologyTimes Live! had, as of October, 2006, over 50 episodes, and documents technology and technology integration in Goochland County’s schools. By 2012, we'd published over 150 episodes before moving more content to iTunesU. Our podcasts have a world-wide audience, and we produced some of the first K-12/school-based podcasts in the U.S. Listen to TechTimes Live! with iTunes.

TechTimes Live has now published over 150 episodes! Check out some of our archives from the left-hand side of this page to see how far we’ve come!

Teacher and Student Podcasting

We jumpstarted the 2006-07 school year by introducing teachers to podcasting. Because each teacher’s weblog is configured to act as a podcasting server, teachers have begun to publish podcasts. We will maintain the list, opposite left, to post links to weblogs where teachers are also publishing podcasts. Click the “RSS-Podcast” link at the bottom of these blogs to automatically subscribe via iTunes.