Note: Information on this page applies to non-course-related content
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What is a podcast?

A podcast is a digital audio file that is available on the Internet and can be downloaded and played back on any mp3 player, ipod or personal computer. The popularity of podcasting comes from the flexibility that mobile listening devices give to listeners. Listeners can play podcasts on mobile mp3 players or ipods when they are on the bus, walking the dog, working out etc. Some incorporate video as well as sound and are called vodcasts or vcasts.

What makes a good podcast?

There are several important criteria to consider when developing your U of C podcast. To ensure the success of your podcast, consider the following guidelines:

• The podcast is created with a specific purpose and listener in mind.
• The podcast is one episode in a series of podcasts occurring on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
• Podcasts can be 90 seconds to one hour. The length of the podcast should be appropriate to the purpose of the podcast and the audience who will listen to it.
• The podcast provides information the audience can’t find elsewhere.
• The podcast comes from a credible source.
• The podcast content is current and relevant to the intended audience.
• The podcast recording is professional in quality.
• The podcast has ‘personality’ to keep the audience interested.
• The podcast has a professional introduction and closing.
• The podcast is advertised to the intended audience.

U of C podcasting policy

• Podcasts must be approved by External Relations before they will be placed on www.ucalgary.ca/podcasts/.
• Podcasts must be relevant in content to University of Calgary students, staff, faculty, alumni and the University’s external stakeholders.
• To create a podcast that contains intellectual property and make it publicly available on the Internet, a consent form must be signed by the speaker(s) prior to recording and before it will be posted to www.ucalgary.ca/podcasts.
• Podcast recordings must be professional in quality. See guidelines for what makes a good podcast.

Process

Once you’ve decided to create a U of C podcast, here is what you need to do:

• Contact com media to record your event
• Or record your podcast on your own.
• Send a request to post your podcast on www.ucalgary.ca/podcasts to Ken Bendiksten in External Relations at kenben@ucalgary.ca. Include a brief description of event and speaker(s) by providing the podcast title and speaker(s), one-sentence description of the podcast and the date recorded as you would like it to appear on the website.
• If your podcast contains intellectual property, have your speaker(s) sign a Speaker Consent Form.  Keep a copy of this form on file and forward a copy to Ken Bendiksten at kenben@ucalgary.ca.

For more information, contact us.