Blogs & Podcasts in Higher Education

Mike Ho Dr. Jennifer Spink Strickland

Paradise Valley Community College

For a copy of this presentation:http://eport.maricopa.edu/

In this session:

• Learn about how new media technologies are having an impact within Higher Education

• Learn about how blogs, podcasts, are being used by PVCC

• Resources available to get started

Past Student Life WebsitesPast Student Life Websites

Traditional websites are:• “Static”

– Difficult to maintain• HTML

– Programmer(s) required• Impossible to personalize

– Governed by web standards

Today’s WebToday’s Web

• Email is insufficient• People are active participants with the web

– Everyone has a contribution

• Conversational/social• Software is free and publicly available• Blogs and podcasting becoming more

common

Web Log

Blog

What is a Blog?What is a Blog?

• Web based• Articles in posted in reverse chronological order• Browser-based tools for updating the blog• Can include text, images, audio, video• Usually one author but can have multiple authors• Usually support commenting• Usually offers an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed• Can be very search-engine friendly

“Dan Karleen (dan.karleen@thomson.com)NAGAP 2006April 2006”

Anatomy of a Blog EntryAnatomy of a Blog Entry

Blog Entry TitleDate Stamp

Permalink

Comments

Blog entry content

“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://blogs.oc.edu/ee/?/blogs/index

Getting Started with BlogsGetting Started with Blogs

• Practice with one of the free blogging programs– www.blogger.com

– www.wordpress.com

– http://Eport.maricopa.edu

• Meet with your webmaster.

What is Podcasting?What is Podcasting?

A method of publishing audio broadcasts via the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed of new files (usually MP3s).

What is Podcasting?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. PodcastingCollege Radio Vs. Podcasting

Radio• 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

RSSRSS• 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

RSSRSS

“ESPNews”“NPR: All Songs Considered ”“Ebert and Roeper” “The Ricky Gervais Show” “PVCC Student Life Podcast”

5 Things Every Podcaster Needs 5 Things Every Podcaster Needs to Get Startedto Get Started

5 Things Every Podcaster Needs 5 Things Every Podcaster Needs to Get Startedto Get Started

1) A Concept

2) Desktop Microphones

3) Recording and Editing Software

4) Content

5) Hosting Space

Item #1: A ConceptItem #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 MicrophoneItem #2: Desktop Microphone

• Plugs directly into the microphone port.

• $10.00 at Office Max

Item #2: Desktop MicrophoneItem #2: Desktop Microphone

• Consider a Y Audio Splitter

• $3.00 at Radio Shack

Item #3: Item #3: Recording and Editing SoftwareRecording and Editing Software

• Freeware: Audacity

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

• “How-To” Guide in mcli Forum Newsletter Volume 9, Spring 2005

http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/forum/

Item #3: Item #3: Recording and Editing SoftwareRecording 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: ContentItem #4: Content• Interviews with faculty, sta

ff, student leaders

• Public service announcements

• Upcoming campus events

• Sound clips from visiting performers

Item #4: Content TipsItem #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

– Opuzzhttp://www.opuzz.com

Item #5: Hosting SpaceItem #5: Hosting Space

At PVCC, our podcasts can be found on our

Student Life Weblog.

Item #5: Hosting SpaceItem #5: Hosting Space

Skagit Valley College uses Blogger.com

http://svcpodcasts.blogspot.com/

Item #5: Hosting SpaceItem #5: Hosting Space

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

You’ve Created a Podcast. You’ve Created a Podcast. Now What?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/

– Table Tents Near All Public Access Computers

Opportunities: Student Engagement

• Inform Students About Campus Events

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

• Supplemental Education for Classrooms

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

Communicate

Share

Develop community

Self Expression

Learning

Marketing

Influence

Why Blog and Podcast?Why Blog and Podcast?

Why Blog and Podcast?Why Blog and Podcast?

• Economical way to create a new, personalized

communications channel on and off the website

• They can help demystify the college life

• Many students have their own blogs

What’s NextWhat’s Next

• Videopodasting/Photocasting• Moving from “Message Board” to

Interactive Media• iTunes University

For A Copy of This Presentation

http://eport.maricopa.edu/