The Podcasting Project

Do it Yourself (Home or Office)

Faculty member using a laptop

Step 1: Equipment

Basic required hardware

  1. Access to a desktop or laptop computer
  2. Desktop microphone or USB headset

Software choices

  1. Audacity (free download) for recording and editing audio for podcasting
  2. Camtasia screen capture (purchase) for recording items displayed on a computer screen and can also record audio.
  3. Garage Band (purchase) users can also create and edit podcasts using this Apple product.

Step 2: Plan

Planning out a podcast has five steps:

  1. Get organized—make a list of possible topics
  2. Create an outline for each segment
  3. Decide on a structure—mini lecture, story, interview, etc.
  4. Choose a format—video and audio, screen capture and audio , or audio-only format
  5. Create a script and visuals. Then practice. Delivery is important. Being prepared will ensure that production goes well.

Step 3: Record

These tutorials offer tips:

  1. How to use Audacity
  2. How to use Camtasia

Step 4: Publishing

Once the file is ready to distribute, the file must be placed on a server along with the subscription information or feed necessary for podcasting. MSU faculty can use StoreMedia (web based) or PodcastoR (Mac based) to create the subscription feed and upload the file to the MSU server. Feeds can be placed in ANGEL, on web sites or within other venues for access.

At this time, The Podcasting Project only supports educational podcasts.

MSU faculty interested in publishing course-related podcasts can used this web-based tool:

If you are interested in making a podcast for individual interests, here is a free resource you may consider:

Contact the Libraries Help Desk (Distance Learning Services) at (517) 355–2345