Technology Tips: Google Reader - Podcast

You've probably heard the term "podcast" - well, a podcast is just a specialized kind of RSS feed which contains either audio or video as part of the feed. You can use Google Reader to subscribe to a podcast, just like for any other RSS feed. For this tip, you will subscribe to an NPR podcast using Google Reader.

STEP ONE: Go to Google Reader. In one tab of my browser, I will go to Google Reader (you should already be logged in to Gmail or some other Google Service).

STEP TWO: Go to NPR Podcast Directory. In a DIFFERENT browser tab, I will go to the National Public Radio podcast directory. You can browse by title, topic, or provider. For example, I can browse by topics, and see the technology podcasts available:

STEP THREE: Select podcast. I'm going to choose the NPR: Technology podcast to subscribe to, so I click on that link, and get the information I need to subscribe, which is the podcast address shown in the box where I can highlight and copy it:

STEP FOUR: Subscribe with Google Reader. I will then copy that address - http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast.php?id=1019 - into the Add Subscription box in Google Reader and click the Add button:

I will then be able to listen to the podcasts from inside Google Reader:

STEP FIVE: Send item via email to instructor. To finish this assignment, you need to use the email option to send me one of the items from the podcast you have subscribed to. So, choose one of the items, and then click on the Email icon that appears at the bottom of the item. When prompted, enter my address, laura-gibbs@ou.edu, and make sure you CHANGE the Subject Line of the email to read as follows: TechTip Podcast. Click on "Send" to send the email.

When you have sent in the email, you can do the Gradebook Declaration for Extra Credit. Here is the text of the Gradebook Declaration you will complete: