Audacity

Details

Resources

Version: 1.2.6

Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.

You can use Audacity to record live audio whether it is a school concert or for a podcast. It also allows users to cut, add and mix sounds together as well as the ability to remove noise from the recording. Audacity has gather a lot of support from a lot of podcasters due to its ease of use and features.

Download

Examplar/Lesson plan:

Reviews: 
Download.com

PC Mag

Softpedia

License: Free

Tutorials:
Audacity tutorial

how to podcast website

Developer: Sourceforge

Category: Audio Recorder/Editor

Platform:Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux

Minimum specification (recommended) 
PC
P4  1Ghz processor
512 MB RAM
SuperVGA color display
40 Gb spare HDrive space

Garageband

Details

Resources

Version: 3.04

Garageband comes as part of iLife suite with OS X on the Mac and is very popular with anyone who wants to produce music easily and without having to invest in expensive equipment

There are addons called Jam Packs which have arrange of additional loops and instruments. The Jam Packs broaden the range of activities and genres to Garageband towards the music creation.

However it still software of choice for many starting podcasters using Macs. 

Website

Examplar/Lesson plan:

Reviews: 
Macworld

CNET

License: $99 (part of iLife)

Tutorials:
Apple iLife

Com tech lab

Atomiclearning

Developer: Apple

Category: Audio Recorder/Editor

>Platform:Mac OS X

Minimum specification (recommended) 
Mac
733 Mhz Processor
256Mb Ram
10Gb HD

Podium

Details

Resources

Version: 1.0.1

Podium is a PC application, designed specifically for the education market by a British company called Softease. It is an easy-to-use piece of software that allows students of any age to create, edit and publish podcasts all from the same simple interface.

Softease have included of lots of useful information on their website catering for the teaching audience.   
 

Download Trail

website

Examplar/Lesson plan:

Reviews: 
Becta

Softpedia

License: �59 Master License

Tutorials:
Podium tutorial

Podium blog

Example of primary school

Developer: Softease

Category: Audio Recorder/Editor

Platform:PC

Minimum specification (recommended) 
Windows Xp SP2

300 MHz

64 Mb (128 Mb preferred)

300 Mb HDD

1024x768 resolution

iTunes

Details

Resources

Version: 7

iTunes is not a podcasting creating tool as such but it is a useful tool to search for and download podcasts from the internet.

iTunes was created for playing and organizing digital music and video files. The program is also an interface to manage the contents on Apple's popular iPod. It is also possible to watch video files using itunes.

However the AAC format is the default file format on Apple iTunes, it is possible that it may have issues with your media player of choice.

Download 

website

Examplar/Lesson plan:

Reviews: 
Macworld

CNET

License: Free

Tutorials:
Apple tutorial

Uploading a podcast in iTunes

Developer: Apple

Category: Podcasting aggregator

Platform:PC, Mac

Minimum specification (recommended)