Podcasts
As we all know, podcasts have become a huge hit with listeners across the globe. Hosts produce shows with content ranging from true crime to academic research. According to an article posted in Newsweek by Amancay Tapia on November 11, 2021, the popularity of podcasts has continued to increase in the last 5 years. This article also stated that true crime and news podcasts continually see an increase in listeners. I can understand why this is as I myself am a huge fan of true crime podcasts as well! Many researchers have tried to figure out why podcasts draw such a crowd of listeners. I can say for myself, there have been many times I’d much rather listen to an episode on a topic I’m interested in, rather than sit down to read a long article. Listening to podcasts can be a way to make long drives and mundane tasks more interesting.
While researching podcasts and platforms for creating such, I came across a few great and not-so-great resources.
Anchor
Anchor, launched in 2018, is a podcasting web app perfect for rookie podcasters. Now owned by Spotify, this particular application is a free podcast service that provides creators the ability to host and distribute podcasts. Users have unlimited storage and bandwidth, along with features and analytics that are basic. This can be very helpful for beginners. Anchor also offers video podcasting and the ability to receive donations from listeners or be sponsored by brands. Unfortunately, there always comes the bad with the good. While you may make some money with donations and brand sponsors, a portion of such will be taken by the hosting company. Another downfall for Anchor as a podcast hosting site is that there may only be one show per account. If you’re interested in creating multiple podcasts, this may not be the web app for you.
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is another free podcasting platform that is great for beginners. This web application has a free plan that allows users to not only create their own show but monitor listener data. Buzzsprout has a very basic dashboard - which again is helpful for beginning podcast creators and allows up to 2 hours of content download. Users may shy away from having such a limited amount of download capability, but this is quickly overshadowed by access to excellent statistics (often not offered with other free hosting sites). Buzzsprout also offers users a free podcast website at no extra cost with the ability to customize as one pleases. Additional paid plans are offered, which include other features not included with a free account. The downside to Buzzsprout? Content created will be deleted after 90 days and the platform doesn’t offer an unlimited download option.
Podbean
Around since 2006, Podbean offers a free podcast hosting platform for creators. With this particular web app, users get 5 hours of storage and 100GB of bandwidth per month. Just like Buzzsprout, Podbean offers users a free website to customize to their liking and the ability to view data from listeners and downloaded episodes. Podbean also distributes content creators' podcasts to major podcast apps. Sounds pretty great…but it gets better! Podcasts are hosted on the platform forever unless you delete them. Content creators also have the option to manage if and how they want to monetize. Options include the ability to select ads to include in episodes, patron program options, or selling prime podcast episodes to listeners. Doesn’t seem like there’s much to dislike with Podbean!
After researching and playing around with each of these platforms, I decided to try out Podbean. I have used this podcasting platform previously in other graduate courses, and have found it to be the easiest to use overall. Whether accessing the platform on my phone using the app or on my laptop, Podbean has always been easy and fun to use.
Check out this podcast I created with the help of a graduate classmate on Library Hand.
Using Podcasts in the Library
Using podcasts in the library setting may be a new idea but a good one at that. Podcasts can be useful and serve a purpose. To mention a few ideas, podcasts hosted by librarians can highlight services offered by the library program, share interviews with authors and others in the literary world, as well as discuss new reading material and offer reading and other resource recommendations. According to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) some of the best educational podcasts are The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast, Visions of Education, The Innovator's Mindset, and more. A full list of these recommended podcasts can be found at ISTE Members Share the Best Education Podcasts.
I hope that you have found this blog informative and be sure to follow me at https://thetechieeducator.tumblr.com/.
Garcia, J. (2022, March 16). Best podcast hosting: 13 free and paid platforms tested and compared. Tooltester. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from https://www.tooltester.com/en/blog/podcast-hosting/
Tapia, A. (2021, November 28). The 20 popular podcasts in America right now. Newsweek. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from https://www.newsweek.com/most-popular-podcasts-america-right-now-joe-rogan-daily-crime-1650687
Fingal, J. (2022, September 16). ISTE members share the best education podcasts. ISTE. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from https://www.iste.org/explore/professional-development/iste-members-share-best-education-podcasts
Honestly, I have not been a huge fan of podcasts. I've tried to listen to true crime podcast because like you I'm very into it. However, I find myself more entertained with videos and books when it comes to that topic. After learning more about the different ones and listening to a few I can see how one can get lost in them. Those podcast channels you shared are great. It makes decision making easier when it comes to choosing one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your three podcast app reviews. I also found Podbean to be easy to access from the app, online, and my phone.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about various ways to use podcasts in the library. I like the idea of using it for author interviews. Students could research an author, artist, musician ,etc.... and they pretend to be them while another student interviewed them. So fun!!!!!