Academic Aesthetic Podcast 98

100th podcast in progressYesterday I started editing my 100th podcast. It’s not done yet, but I’m happy with what I have so far and I think you’ll be too when you hear it.

I have noticed something, though. Almost all of my previous podcasts were made by me simply talking into a mic, throwing in some background music, then uploading the mp3. Most of my editing was done while writing the script, with the exception of the occasional moment where I read the same line twice.

But my 100th episode is different. I have lots of clips to play, including the ones provided by listeners like you. (Thanks, by the way. I’m still accepting more if you want to send one in.) Now I have to drag audio back and forth, adjust music volumes, readjust music volumes, wonder why those last five clips I imported deleted themselves, and of course import a 45 minute recording because I want to use the first 60 seconds.

In short, this isn’t easy. If I had to do all of this on a regular basis you wouldn’t be getting 3 podcasts a week from me, especially now that school’s started again.

I suppose there’s a lesson to be learned here. Just because you can do a lot of nifty things with a program doesn’t mean you need to. Yes, PowerPoint offers enough transitions for you to use a different one on each of your slides, but will that really help your presentation? Only if you’re doing a presentation on the transitions.

When you’re working on audio, video, PowerPoint, or even an MS Word document, it helps to find or create a template in the beginning and just use it over and over again. When you’re giving information to your students you should not be spending half an hour finding just the right animated clip art for your PowerPoint on Indonesia when you only spent 5 minutes typing up your bullet points. And really, that dancing baby just isn’t cool anymore.

Published by theartguy

Aaron Smith is a Media Arts & Technology Teacher who spends most of his time on computers. In his free time he plays video games, edits videos, and misses his wife dearly.

3 replies on “Academic Aesthetic Podcast 98”

  1. You are a prince! Thank you for sharing the FischBowl site with everyone. I plan to share the presentation with my new director. It fits right in with our futuristic vision. You’re the best!

  2. You know, sometimes it’s nice just having someone tap you on the shoulder and say, “Hey, look at this!” That’s exactly what you did–for a lot of us. And of course, the timing couldn’t have been better with so many of us just starting inservices for another year.

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