PodCasting+Free+Tools

[|5 Resources for Creating and Hosting Podcasts]
[|Audacity] should be at the top of any list of resources about recording voices and sounds. [|Audacity] is a free, open-source, program that can be used on Mac, Windows, and Linux systems. [|Audacity] gives you the ability to mix tracks, splice tracks, adjust the volume of tracks, create fades, and filter out background noise.

[|Drop.io] offers a number of free services useful for educators. (Read my previous thoughts about Drop.io in education [|here] or [|here]). Drop.io offers a free voice recording service that you can use to create a podcast. With every "drop" you establish on [|Drop.io] you are supplied with a unique phone number. Simply dial that number and begin recording at the beep. Your voice recording is then hosted and can be played back at your unique [|Drop.io] url. While you cannot edit the recording or add any kind of music, it is a very simple way to record your voice. You can download the recording to use in another editing service.

[|MyPodcast.com] is the podcast service that the guys at [|Wicked Decent Learning] used to use to share their awesome podcast with the world. MyPodcast.com provides free podcast hosting as well as free podcast recording software. (The software is available for PC only). I tested out the software in August and found it to be more than adequate for creating vocal podcasts. For schools that do not use Apple computers (Garage Band is standard on Mac) [|MyPodcast.com] is a very good, free podcasting tool.

[| Pod Bean] is the free podcast hosting service that I used to host all of my [|Free Technology For Teachers] podcasts (I haven't made any since last fall). [|Pod Bean]is a hosting service, not a recording service so you will have to use a recording program and then upload to PodBean to share your episodes. What I like about Pod Bean is the speed of uploading and the ease of integration with blogging platforms.

[|Blubrry], like Pod Bean, is a podcast hosting service. To record your podcast you will have to record it using Audacity, Garage Band, or another recording tool. [|Blubrry] has a very detailed guide for first-time podcasters. They also offer Blubrry University which is a forum for finding help with glitches and problems you may run into.