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Podcasting with OIT Technology

There are many ways to produce and distribute podcasts, if you are part of the UMass community you have an OIT account which provides access to some tools that can make things easier.

Software available on OIT computers

You’ll need some software to help edit and post your podcasts. All OIT computers at UMass are equipped with the necessary software for doing just that. Specifically, you’ll need audio editing software, such as GarageBand or Audacity, a place to host your podcast, such as UDrive or an OIT Web Server, and way to upload your podcast to the internet, such as using Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), and a way to create Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds for your podcast subscribers.

Audio Editing:

Hosting your Podcast:

File Transfer Protocol:

Syndication (RSS):

  • Vodcaster
  • Feedburner

Sharing your podcasts via the Web

Besides just making your podcast available for download on iTunes, you may want to publish your podcast on a website or blog. UMass OIT provides each faculty member and student with OIT Web Server space (i.e., for personal webpages), a blog account (UMass Blogs), and free file storage space with UDrive. Utilizing the free server space and built-in template of a blog can be a great and simple way of providing your podcast with a “home.” Listeners and viewers can access your blog or web site from anywhere, and download or access files that you post via UDrive.

UDrive allows you to share files with the public and set permissions on how long people can access a file, and restrict sharing to members of the UMass community (see how with this tutorial).

What else might you need?

A simple audio podcast will still require some sort of audio recording equipment.  Many laptop computers today come with built-in microphones that may suffice for on-the-go type podcasting.  However, if you need more sophisticated equipment, OIT may have some available for use.  Faculty can use the services and equipment at the Instructional Media Lab, for instance, and students can contact the Help Desk (413-545-9400) to find out what equipment or services they may have for use.  The Learning Commons is a great resource for students.

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