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How do I subscribe to audio or video files on RaiderCast?
The answer depends on your software. RaiderCast uses RSS Feeds. RSS is a technology that allows professors to make their content available through a "feed" that students can subscribe to receive. Students then view the feed with the help of podcasting software (e.g. iTunes). RSS feeds are constantly updated with the latest information from the professor's class.
If you click on the XML link, a browser window with the XML code of the RSS feed will appear. The top of the browser will contain the URL for the XML feed. Select the URL and copy it into the field in your reader which allows you to add feeds. Some readers also allow you to drag and drop the link into the reader to subscribe. You can drag and drop the link into iTunes or select "Subscribe to Podcast" from the "Advanced" menu. Then, cut and paste the URL of the RSS feed.
How do I stream audio or video files on RaiderCast?
For most streaming audio or video on RaiderCast, you will need video software that supports RealVideo format. If you don't have it, you can download the free RealPlayer. You may also see the file available in Windows Media (or .wmv) format. Here's the free player.
What is "podcasting" and videocasting (or "vodcasting")?
According to Wikipedia, Podcasting is "a means of distributing audio and video programs via the Internet that lets users subscribe to a number of files, also known as 'feeds', and then hear or view the material at the time that they choose." These feeds are usually in MP3 audio format. There are a number of ways to record and get audio content to students. Faculty can capture audio through their laptop/tablet or portable recorder. Faculty can even "audioblog" in Blackboard using a tool called Wimba.
Currently, RaiderCast is exploring how to intergrate these podcasts with Blackboard. This may take the form of a "My RaiderCast" module that allows users to see a feed of current lectures and download them to a player. If you are interested in podcasting, e-mail the Learning Academy.
A Screencast is a digital recording of your computer screen that often contains audio narration and annotations. GRCC uses Macromedia Captivate and Camtasia for screencasting. Participants in GRCC's Faculty Laptop Pilot have started to use the Tablet PC to capture the screen (e.g. notation on slides) and audio from their teaching.
Vodcasting (Video on Demand) is a new category for RaiderCast. There are now pocket-sized devices that will download and play video files. Check out the new Video iPod! We're in the process of exploring how we might use RaiderCast to distribute instructional video to these devices. Eric Kunnen had one of our first successes when he used some free software (Videora) to convert some audio and video to a format that was uploaded to a new video iPod. How did he do it? He selected "H264/320x240/256kbps Stereo/96kbps", converted an AVI to mp4, then renamed it to m4v.
GRCC faculty are bringing their classroom to the video iPod. They use Camtasia to capture the screen and audio in class. Then, they use Videora to convert it to a format that downloads to the video iPod. This video is also published to GRCC's Real Server (see directions below).
Where to I find resources for podcasting and videocasting?
- Podcast Alley Directory
- Podcast Central
- Podcasting News
- Podcast RSS Buddy
- Make RSS Feeds
- Podcast Software
- Podcasting 101
How do faculty capture audio and video for RaiderCast?
GRCC uses Macromedia Captivate and Camtasia for screencasting. Participants in GRCC's Faculty Laptop Pilot have started to use the Tablet PC to capture the screen (e.g. notation on slides) and audio from their teaching. These screencasts can be streamed or downloaded to almost any device.
We're also using free software called Videora to convert the screencast to a format that downloads to the new Video iPod. You'll need to right-click, save the Video iPod (.m4v) file and use iTunes to put it on the device.
We're in the process of exploring how we might use RaiderCast to distribute instructional video to many devices. Eric Kunnen had one of our first successes when he used some free software (Videora) to convert some audio and video to a format that was uploaded to a new video iPod. How did he do it? He selected "H264/320x240/256kbps Stereo/96kbps", converted an AVI to mp4, then renamed it to m4v.
How do faculty upload audio and video to RaiderCast?
GRCC has a Real/Helix™ Server for streaming audio and video. Faculty can request access to upload their files by sending an e-mail to ITHELP@grcc.edu. Once access is granted, follow these instructions:
1. Use Internet Explorer to browse to ftp://real.grcc.edu. Enter your Novell username and password.
2. Once it lets you in, you'll see a list of folders - one with your name that you would drag-and-drop your content into. The nomenclature for the link to the streaming Real Video or Audio file is "http://real.grcc.edu/ramgen/username/filename.rm" where "ramgen" says "this is streaming content" and "username" is your folder and "filename.rm" is the Real Media file. If it's a real audio file, the extension is .ram
3. If you want to stream Windows Media, the nomenclature is "http://real.grcc.edu/asxgen/username/filename.wmv"
where "ramgen" is replaced with "asxgen" to indicate the different format and trigger Windows Media player to launch as opposed to Real Player.
4. Keep all the filenames lowercase and omit spaces.
5. Use the resulting link in Blackboard.
Note: This is a streaming media server, so you can't put non-streaming content on it. For instance, if you had a jpeg image, you couldn't put it in your folder and provide students a link like "http://real.grcc.edu/asxgen/username/filename.jpg."