A few weeks ago I posted about the iPod I received for Mother’s Day. I’ve discovered some really great podcasts and almost every time I listen to one I find myself thinking I could do this!

Then earlier this week I read Lauren Pressley‘s Computer in Libraries article on creating and using videos in libraries and was inspired by how easy she made it look.

I’ve been working on a class about baby sign language. My son began learning baby sign language at about 9 months old. My daughter is 11 months old so last night I decided it was time for her first lesson.

In that instant I thought wouldn’t this make a great video podcast. So I set up my camera and ad-libbed the lesson.

Then using the software that comes free with Windows–Windows Movie Maker, I added the credits and a few transitions and cut out the part where my son put his hand in from of the camera and asked the endless “what’s this” questions.

Now normally I would want to make this perfect before sharing. But in the spirit of being green and saving resources and time, I now present the “un-video podcast.”

Total cost = $0 (I used a digital camera and free tools)

Total time spent = 30 minutes (including cleaning up the baby)

So while this may not be perfect, it was quick, it was easy, and it was cheap.