Webcast Academy

Webcast Academy Meeting
for incoming Class of 1.2 interns and graduating 1.1 interns
Raw Audio
Download mp3 (23MB, 50:18)

Interns, please post an audio introduction to your Webcast Academy Blog
For more info, check out the
Class of 1.2 Orientation Screencast
& Orientation Newsletter

NEW - Screencast about how to create download link and flash player for audio in your posts

Flash Player Code

Next Week - Recording telephony calls and basic audio editing
Meeting Times
Sunday, July 30 4pmGMT
Thursday, Aug. 3 2amGMT

Chat Transcript Below

read more

Webcasting Setup:

General Setup:

- Create a space for your site either on one of the WorldBridges networks or your own site.
- Create a Feedburner Feed
- List Show in iTunes Directory (you need a feedburner feed to list your show in the iTunes Directory)

Hardware:
- Dell GX620 - SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio Card
- USB Mic Logitech
- Headphones
- Treo 600 cameraphone (for low res pics)

Software:
- Simplecast
- Audio Repeater
- Skype
- Audacity
- Browser: Firefox, Flock, or Internet Explorer
- Filezilla

read more

I downloaded Audacity, LameLib, Nicecast and recorded my Intro. I can't wait to meet the other folks in class. I hope Susan is around as she said she would mentor me. See you soon.

Cheryl

 

Webcasting Setup:

I'd hoped to try both Sam (using my PC) and Nicecast (on my Mac), but ended up just using Nicecast to stream because of lack of time. I'm hoping to try out Sam in August. I've included the details of my PC below too, as I've been using both during the Skypecast, and for recording.

PC: AMD Athlon XP 2200+ 1.8 GHz, 768MB RAM

- Windows XP (Home) 2002 , Service Pack 2

Mac: Mac Mini (Power Mac 10.2), Power PC G4, (1.5)

- Mac OS X - Version 10.4.6, Memory 512 MB DDR SDRAM
Wireless AirPort Extreme

As I said above, I've recently been using Nicecast to stream the audio. At first, I found it easier to concentrate on managing the hosting of a Skypecast, and while I was doing this I played with capturing the audio using various tools, from Audio Hijack (on the Mac), Audacity, and PowerGramo and Hot Recorder (on the PC).

read more

I am excited about meeting everyone!

Hardware --
PowerBook G4
Mac OS X - Version 10.4.7
Memory 512 MB DDR SDRAM
Wireless AirPort Extreme

For software I use Nicecast, Skype and WireTapPro for streaming and recording with the Nicecast recording the audio as well for backup. I use Audacity or GarageBand for post-production of audio. I have used a Planetronics headset with mic and mic mute/headphone volume controls, a usb LogiTech mic, and am now experimenting with an M-Audio FastTrack recording interface (mic pre-amp and digital converter) with a Shure SM57 mic.

For me the biggest hurdle initially was broadcasting from within the school network. I could not connect to the stream due to filters at schools so I had to be connected by the home team (Dave, Jeff, Alex, etc) and host from Skype which does work at the school. From home streaming is easy, but I had to work on making sure all the audio settings on the mac were set correctly so I could be heard on the stream. By watching the audio LEDs in Nicecast, I know if I am getting a signal from my voice as well as from the participants joining me. Echo/Sound Test Service (echo123 in Skype) will give you a connection to test this detail.

read more

Just getting ready for the adventure of Webcast Academy. Looking forward to meeting new people and learning a new type on conversation.

Our featured guest this show was Susan Appleton, one of the teacher coordinators for the Bunbury Senior High School BEACh (Bunbury Extension and Challenge) Program. This program seeks to extend students academically. Sue gave an excellent account of the program and the impacts that it has had to date on the students and teachers involved. We look forward to some follow-up sessions with Sue in the months to come about other school programs she is involved with.

Download mp3 (28.9MB, 32min)

read more

For my "rig" I've been using a Dell Latitude D800 1.50 GHz laptop with a Pentium M processor and 512 MB of RAM. I've also used a USB microphone and wireless (802.11g) internet connection.

For software I've used SAM Broadcaster, Virtual Audio Cables / Audio Repeater, Skype and Audacity for streaming, recording and post-production of audio. For me the biggest hurdles to overcome have been getting audio settings as they should be so that "both sides" of the conversation can be heard over the stream, "issues" within Skype and post-production itself.

read more

Hi Susan, The way I have done this is to go to google calenders, click on the down arrow on the calender you want to subscribe to and you will see a settings link. There you will see a place to select the Calender Address...click..and copy the address. Go to iCal, click on Calender...Subscribe.... and paste the address in the Subscribe To window. Hope this helps. Lee

read more

Here is a sample of the ideas I have for the Book of Webcasting. Understand that no links are working or set up yet. I have basically taken what we had and typed an explanation of what I will do with the book's home page if we all agree on it. Check this link out and let me know your ideas to add to mine. I will get this done for the new start of interns next week. By the way, I was thinking of using some pop up boxes...anyone know if drupal will support that code? Thanks, Lee My Layout Ideas for the Book of Webcastin

read more

Audio from our July 13 Brainstorm
Download mp3

Jeff and Doug are joined by Drew for a discussion about audio. We talk about the importance of starting with good quality audio, and what can be done in "post-production" to make audio sound better.

I had some "Skype issues" that meant the loss of the some of the discussion and I'm especially looking forward to having Art and Cathy back for a brainstorm about "best practices" for teaching keyboarding skills to K-6 students.

read more

Here's a link to another Google Calendar, this time for Webcastacademy. To move events between calendars, you can use the "Copy to my Calendar" feature for individual events in the calendar. Click on "Copy to my Calendar" and then select the calendar you'd like (in this case, the one for Webcastacademy.net) to make a copy of the event. The question has also arisen about the pop-up window that asks if you'd like to "add this calendar" each time the Google Calendar button is clicked. I've been clicking on yes in this instance, and it appears to go directly to the calendar without over writing it. You should all have read/write/modify access to the calendar -- please advise if you have difficulties with access.

read more

Laura Chapin has been kind enough to agree to come and give us some tips on interviewing. She's cool... and knows the field. Come on out, ask your Questions!
8pm EDT. Midnight GMT.
Download mp3 (26.1MB, 57:00)

read more

Haven't heard from anyone regarding "issues" with the Worldbridges.net calendar, and I'm hoping it's a case of no news == good news ;-)

The calendar's time is set to Eastern (North America), although I think some of the entries are still showing in Pacific (North America) time.

Please advise of any troubles you have by posting here, and please do add or edit an entry to the calendar. I'd like to have some posts from different time zones to see how the calendar reacts. This will help to assess the viability of the calendar for our purposes here.

I'm sure that most of you know about the Electronic Village Online (EVO) that is organised before the TESOL annual conference every year (end of January-February), and which allows anyone who is interested (mainly, but not only English teachers) to participate in a 6-week online professional development session.

Last year, the 2006 EVO sessions offered a wide variety of online collaborative sessions, and there was a lot of interest in Podcasting (the Yahoo group set up for the event still has over 250 members), and I'm sure that this kind of event would be a great way of opening up the Webcast Academy to a wider audience (participants are usually from all parts of the world), and also of creating more webcasters for the World Bridges community.

read more

Hi everybody. Sorry I missed last evening's Academy meeting, I look forward to catching-up on the audio. Here's a link to a subscribe button for the Google calendar I've been working on for our webcasts. (Even though it is named "Worldbridges.net" it is the calendar for the Webcastastacademy, and all interns should have edit/write access to the calendar). The calendar is now, by default, set to Eastern time. Please take a moment to add an event to the calendar to ensure that you're able to edit the calendar. Post a comment to this post to advise of any difficulties you experience.

read more

Audio from our July 3 Meeting
Download mp3

Discussion about graduation requirements for the Class of 1.1, procedures and curriculum for Class of 1.2, and a variety of other items on the Worldbridges To Do list.

Next Meeting - Tuesday, July 11 5pmPDT/8pmEDT/midnight GMT

read more

Thanks to all those who sent in applications to become part of the Class of 1.2.  We are delighted to announce that all those who applied have been accepted.  We will be sending out  'Admission Notifications' shortly. Thanks again and we look forward to beginning the webcasting fun soon.

Applications for the Class of 1.2 are due by July 16,  internships begin July 23, and all assignments are due by September 30, 2006.  Details of requirements are below.

If you are interested in participating as an intern, please complete the 'personal' and  'Webcast Apprentice' portions of your profile and use the Contact Form to send us a short note confirming your interest.  Interns should plan on spending at least 2~3 hours/week working on Academy related tasks and participating in a collaborative learning community.

Webcast Academy Admission Policies, Program Requirements, and Certifications

read more

Hello Fellow Interns,

  This is still a first draft and none of this is etched in concrete.  Thought I'd go ahead and publish it though to start getting everyone's feedback. 
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Jeff

Class of 1.1 'Graduation' Requirements.

In order to complete the 'Basic Program' at The Webcast Academy, interns will need to

• produce 3 live interactive webcasts and publish them to their Webcast Academy blog
• successfully participate in a Finals Week Webcast Relay
• complete a 'Webcaster's Report' detailing the methods used, obstacles faced, and solutions found.

Webcast Production includes

a) successfully streaming the audio (without any coaching or assistance),
b) hosting or co-hosting at least a 30 minute show, and
c) recording all of the show's audio and editing it to a 'listenable' quality

Publication includes

a) posting show notes that include links to sites mentioned, an overview of topics discussed, and chat logs (graphics are not required, but encouraged in moderation)
b) including a download link and flash player listening option for the audio

The Finals Week Relays take place during the final week of the academy term (July 24~31).  At least 3 interns must participate and take turns 'grabbing the stream' at least 3 times from each other.  This is intended to measure the interns ability to handle high pressure, last minute, and/or unexpected webcasting situations.

The 'Webcaster's Report' is designed to help the the Academy build a database of information about the hardware, software, and troubleshooting involved in webcasting. Each intern will provide detailed information of their 'rig', methods, and obstacles encountered.

The deadline for all requirements is July 31, 2006.   Upon review and approval by the 'Mentor Council', interns will receive a Webcast Academy Certificate of Webcasting Proficiency. As long their webcasting focus and approach are compatible with Worldbridges Values & Goals and they have completed a Worldbridges Webcasting Application, graduating interns will also receive a 'Worldbridges Webcasting License'.  This license is a pre-requisite for becoming a webcast producer on any of Worldbridges channels or sites.

 Upon completion of the Basic Program, interns are asked to server on the 'Council of Mentors' for at least one future Academy session (not necessarily the one immediately following theirs). They are also eligible to receive advanced certification from The Webcast Academy (details of which will be ironed out during future Academy meetings).

Applications for The Webcast Academy Class of 1.2 are due by July 16, 2006.  The Opening Ceremony will be held July 23, 2006 in conjunction with The Class of 1.1.'s Finals Week Assembly.

read more