Podcasting

1
Podcasting
An Individualized Approach in PsTL
2
Genesis

• Fall 2005
• Boilercast presentation
• Implementing Podcasting in the Classroom Web
  Conference (OIT ULibraries, Nov. 05)
• iRoc demo (McFadden podcasting briefcase)
• Spring 2006
• Tritescasting pilot
• TEL Grant Project Proposal
• Fall 2006
• TEL Grant Project implementation

3
Existing support for podcasting

• UTTC Podcasting Orientation course
• PODCAST listserv (Rich Reardon)
• iRoc demonstration by CLA-TV Studios Colin
  McFadden
• Scattered interest, lack of cohesive community of
  podcasters

4
TEL Grant Project Proposal

• Podcast PsTL 1135 lectures
• Use UThink Blogs for delivery
• Focus on Commanding English (CE) students taking
  PsTL 1135
• CE 2-semester sequence of courses for freshmen
  ESL students

5
Considerations

• Portability
• Class not taught in same room each semester
• Equipment cannot be installed/secured in room
• Reliability
• Equipment needed to be quality-caliber and
  durable
• Ease of use
• Dr. Jensen needed to be able to set it up and
  maintain it himself
• Uploading system needed to be efficient, speedy,
  usable

6
Podcasting PsTL1135

• Equipment Podcasting briefcase
• Marantz mp3 recorder (later ZoomH4 mp3 recorder)
• Audio-Technica wireless mic system
• Process
• Dr. Jensen records lecture
• Dr. Jensen uploads mp3 file to College server
• I process mp3 file (minor editing, compression)
• I upload file to PsTL1135 UThink blog with text
  template wrapper

7
Sample PsTL1135 blog entry
8
Obstacles toa Happy Podcasting Experience

• Equipment failure
• Battery-powered wireless mics
• Complex technology lack of expert audio
  personnel
• Process failure
• Forgot to turn the mic on
• Missed a step in the process
• Escalating student disinterest
• Frustration with the technology glitches and
  resulting unreliable availability of podcasts

9
The Dream A Boilercast-like system

• Centralized/Centrally-managed
• Office of Classroom Management?
• Automated
• Scheduled
• Reliable
• Easy to use/one-touch technology