Kathryn Koscho teaches Class Piano, Piano Pedagogy, and Applied Piano at Oklahoma City University. She is a doctoral candidate for the DMA in Piano Performance with an emphasis in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma and holds degrees from the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Kathryn Koscho
Department of Music
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405.208.5632
kkoscho@okcu.edu
Mario Ajero shared with us the joys of podcasting in his lively technology mini-session. Throughout the session, he answered the following questions: 1) What is a podcast? 2) What equipment is needed to watch or hear a podcast? 3) Where can a consumer find and subscribe to podcasts on the internet? 4) How much does it cost to access a podcast? 5) What equipment is needed to produce a podcast? 6) How can a piano teacher use podcasting in the studio?
1. What is a podcast?
Ajero's definition of podcasting is as follows: "a way to deliver audio or video content over the internet automatically to an audience." Some podcasts have audio content only, like a radio show. Other podcasts contain video content as well, like a slide show or a movie. Podcasts can cover any number of topics, but Ajero quickly honed in on those dedicated to piano pedagogy.
2. What equipment is needed to watch or hear a podcast?
To hear or watch a podcast, no iPod is needed, just a computer. Podcasts can be produced and viewed on all types of computers, not just Macs. Additionally, podcasts can be transferred to a mobile device, like an iPod, and it is this capability that has led to the name podcasting. Many different types of software will run podcasts. Podcatching software, like iTunes and Juice, allows the content to be viewed or heard on a computer and transferred to a mobile device. Also, websites like podcast.yahoo.com, podshow.com, and podcastalley.com run podcasts using a Web browser.
3. Where can a consumer find and subscribe to podcasts on the internet?
In addition to the Websites listed above, podcasts can be found on the iTunes store. From the main page, click on the Podcasts link in the left sidebar. This opens a page devoted to podcasts sorted by topic. Unfortunately, browsing through the listings under music could be cumbersome, so it might be better to search for specific terms using the search engine. Ajero searched for "piano teaching" and found his own podcast! After locating an episode title of interest, double click on it to hear a preview. Podcasts that have a TV icon by the title have video content, so they can be watched like a television show. By clicking on the Free Subscribe button, any new podcasts in the future from the series will be downloaded to you automatically.
4. How much does it cost to access a podcast?
Listening to podcasts is free on iTunes.
5. What equipment is needed to produce a podcast?
To produce a podcast, one needs a computer with broadband internet access, a video camera, and a microphone. Producers can record their audio and video content with the video camera and microphone, edit the content using software like iMovie, and then publish on the web.
6. How can a piano teacher use podcasting in the studio?
According to Ajero, teachers can broadcast student recitals and performances. Recently, he podcasted an adult student's performance, since that adult student did not have a recital on which to play. We can share teaching tips with each other, as Ajero does in many of his podcasts. Also, we can show video of playing on the keyboard and show written notation and fingering so that viewers can learn to play songs. This can be very motivating for viewers and lead them to seek out piano lessons and buy sheet music!
Ajero cautioned against infringing on copyright; he showed a site for Podsafe Music, music.podshow.com, where artists make their compositions and performances available for podcasting for free as long as the use is acknowledged.
Linking podcasting to the overall theme of the forum, Ajero noted that podcasting connects us with the technologically-savvy Millennial Generation and taps in to their desire for technological communities as witnessed by the overwhelming popularity of Websites like MySpace.com.
Readers may contact Mr. Mario Ajero at mario.ajero@gmail.com. To watch his podcasts, go to marioajero.blogspot.com.
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