Podcasting...
Definitions Please
Podcasting, vodcasting, webcasting, audio/video streaming... what is this stuff? Well, my favorite web source of techy-type definitions has a great article on the topic. Suffice it to say that podcasting is an audio (and perhaps video) recording that is packaged for the web and its intended distribution method is via MP3 players available on your computer or any of the go-zillions of iPod and like devices carried by many of today's college crowd.
This distribution method, though well-suited for entertainment delivery, is fast becoming a preferred method of getting preliminary lecture content, supplementary sources, mini-lessons, quick demos, training and even full class lectures out to students to supplement their in-class experience. Appealing to the netGeneration and beyond, this promises to be an effective method instructors can use to reach out to students.
Podcasting at Truman
Instructions on how to post your podcast are now available.
Truman does not yet have a great number of regular, active podcasts, YET! This is changing rapidly. Our campus newsletter, TrumanToday hits the iWaves as a weekly offering on iTunes. Dr. Julie Lochbaum, director of the Center for Teaching & Learning will be augmenting new faculty orientation with podcasts this year. Dr. David Gillette in Economics and Dr. Christine Harker in English are both using in-line video and/or podcasts to supplement course materials in Blackboard this summer. Dr. Paula Cochran, Communications Disorders professor, published an article on the potential educational benefits of podcasting and built a podcast distribution webpage to go along with her course materials. These are just a few examples of campus efforts.
If you would like to try out this technology, please contact the Instructional Design Office in PML 205. Instructional Designer, Diane Richmond can work with you to identify appropriate learning objectives that might lend themselves well to this new tool. You can also experiment with IDS equipment to record your own podcasts!
Let Me Read Up on That
Begin by perusing these resources to get you started. These are some of my favorites of the MANY links on the topic.
How to Podcast at Truman (tech guide)
Using TruTube - Truman's own media upload tool. (tech guide)
TUFTS University - Getting Started With Podcasting
Wired.com article about the best podcast lectures they’ve found
CERN podcast described in the previous article
COPLAC School - Georgia State College & University's program
Apple's College Content Program - iTunes U