Blogs & Podcasts in Higher Education

Mike Ho Dr. Jennifer Spink Strickland

Paradise Valley Community College

Web Log

Blog

Anatomy of a Blog Entry

Blog Entry TitleDate Stamp

Permalink

Comments

Blog entry content

Communicate

Share

Develop community

Self Expression

Learning

Marketing

Influence

“Barely Tenured”“The Chronicles of Dr. Crazy”“The Cranky Professor” “Thoughts, Arguments and Rants” “Invisible Adjunct”

http://colgate.blogs.com/gatelife/2006/04/index.html

http://mylife.udayton.edu/

http://blogs.oc.edu/ee/?/blogs/index

http://www.carroll.edu/students/studentlife/vp.php

http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/studentlife/blog/

What is Podcasting?

A method of publishing audio broadcasts via the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed of new files (usually MP3s). It became popular in late 2004, largely due to automatic downloading of audio onto portable players or personal computers.

What is Podcasting?• Podcasting enables independent producers to create self-

published, syndicated “radio shows.”

• Listeners may subscribe to feeds using "podcatching" software, which periodically checks for and downloads new content automatically.

• Any digital audio player or computer with audio-playing software can play podcasts.

College Radio Vs. PodcastingRadio

• Mostly Music• Requires studio from which to

broadcast• Live Broadcast• Accessible by radio or desktop

computer

Podcasting• Mostly Talk• Requires webserver to store

audio files• Pre-recorded Content• Accessible by computer but

usable by PC, MAC, iPod, Mp3 Players, or PDA

RSS• Really Simple Syndication

– The technology of RSS allows Internet users to subscribe to websites that have provided RSS feeds; these are typically sites that change or add content regularly.

• Podcatchers: Programs to download RSS Feeds– iTunes– iPodder– Mozilla or Netscape 8.0 Browsers

5 Things Every Podcaster Needs to Get Started

5 Things Every Podcaster Needs to Get Started

1. A Concept2. Desktop Microphones3. Recording and Editing Software4. Content5. Hosting Space

Item #1: A Concept

• Who is the target audience? Students? Faculty? Staff? The Community?

• What is the purpose?• Who will be involved?• How often will these be produced?• What types of items will be featured?

Item #2: Desktop Microphone

• Plugs directly into the microphone port.

• $10.00 at Office Max

Item #2: Desktop Microphone

• Consider a Y Audio Splitter

• $3.00 at Radio Shack

Item #3: Recording and Editing Software

• Freeware: Audacityhttp://audacity.sourceforge.net/

• “How-To” Guide in mcli Forum Newsletter Volume 9, Spring 2005http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/forum/

Item #3: Recording and Editing Software

– Creating an Mp3 file• Keep bit rate small for faster downloads• Typical Mp3 is 128kb/second• Reduce to 80kb/s or less for voice

recordings

Item #4: Content• Interviews with faculty, staff,

student leaders

• Public service announcements

• Upcoming campus events

• Sound clips from visiting performers

Item #4: Content Tips• Interviews: Provide questions to interviewees in

advance ESPECIALLY STUDENTS.

• Music: Use Royalty Free Music– Royalty Free Music.com

http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com/free-music-loops.html– Opuzz

http://www.opuzz.com

Item #5: Hosting Space

At PVCC, our podcasts can be found on our

Student Life Weblog.

Item #5: Hosting Space

Skagit Valley College uses Blogger.com

http://svcpodcasts.blogspot.com/

Item #5: Hosting Space

• iTunes University: http://www.apple.com/education/solutions/itunes_u/

• FREE Hosting Service

You’ve Created a Podcast. Now What?

• How will your audience know your podcast exists?– Icon on the college’s homepage

– Welcome Week Information Cards

– Word of Mouth

– Thomson-Peterson’s College and University Feed Directoryhttp://directory.edufeeds.com/

Opportunities: Student Recruitment• Target Populations

– Online Students– English Language Learners– Athletes– Performing Arts Students

• Orientation Sessions– For Students Unable to Attend Traditional Orientation– Senior Night

Opportunities: Student Engagement

• Inform Students About Campus Events

• Help Students “Meet” Faculty and Staff Members as well as other students

• Supplemental Education for Classrooms

Why Podcast?• Easy and Fun

• Cost Effective

• Excitement of Experimentation– Video Podcasting

– i Tunes University

For A Copy of This Presentation

http://eport.maricopa.edu/