More than just noise: Library podcasts that teach

VCU

Libraries

VLA Annual ConferenceThursday, November 9, 2006

Bettina J. PhiferJill S. StoverPeter Kirlew

VCU

Libraries

Podcasts at work and play• A podcast for every interest

– Smoothie Cast– “Godcasts”– McDonald’s– NPR– Museum Pods– Day in the Life of an ME– ASU Libraries

• Who’s listening?

VCU

Libraries

Podcasts defined

• Podcasts = Sound + Syndication– MP3 = Sound recording format (.mp3)– Syndication = Making a Web feed available

• RSS

• iPod not required

VCU

Libraries

Podcasts @ Cabell Library

• Research & Reference Services Dept.

• Collection of short educational podcasts & screencasts

• Core set of 12 scripts– Other topics added periodically– Any staff can submit/record script

• Let’s listen!

VCU

Libraries

What were we thinking? (Rationale)• Address FAQ’s• Ubiquity of MP3 players/laptops

– iTunes U & VCU • Millennial Generation

– Self-service help on demand– Multi-tasking students

• Accommodating learning styles– Audial learners

• Instructional Content Management System• Room for future research

– Preference, acceptance

Recording Tools for recording and editing audio include software like Audacity (free open source software) and a headset or microphone. Other options include a mp3 recorder or any software, program, or device that allows you to produce a mp3 file.

VCU

Libraries

Broadcasting – Tools include blogs with RSS capability or programming your own RSS feed.

Listening Listeners can subscribe to your Podcast through their browser, iTunes, Juice, or many other services. Then, they can be downloaded to a mp3 player.

Podcasting Basics

VCU

Libraries

Promotion

• VCU Libraries Web page (Help+ page)

• Undergraduate outreach (example: Newsletter)

• VCU Web page

• Point-of-Need (example: Blackboard)

VCU

Libraries

How we’re doing…• People are finding podcasts

– 9,039 total sessions– 29.73 average sessions per day– 3.02 page views per session– Referral pages– Search terms (infotrac, library catalog, etc.)

• People are listening?

VCU

Libraries

The Challenges• Resources• Policy issues• Finding your voice

–Formality, tone, language, length

• Finding your audience• Subject matter• Getting buy-in• To assess or not to assess?

VCU

Libraries

Screencasting for Library Instruction

VCU

Libraries

VCU

Libraries

VCU

Libraries

Screencasts, Podcasts

Blackboard:Integrated Instruction

Classes

Blackboard:Quick Tutorials Class

AcademicUsers Librarycasting SE

Librarian in-PersonLiaison & Outreach

RSS

RSS

RSS

Technology, Instruction and Outreach Integration

VCU

Libraries

Why Screencasts, Podcasts? •Communicate complex content effectively•Interest level in video and audio is higher

Why Blackboard? •Great placement of library instruction classes•Very familiar to most students and faculty•Use for instruction well documented in literature

Why Blog? •Promote science library services•Chronological context for tutorials, services•Content is not limited to a single class focus

Why RSS? •Instruction content is more accessible•Updates for the student are automatic•Multiple, specialized feeds can be created

VCU

LibrariesScreencast Production

VCU

Libraries

VCU

Libraries

VCU

Libraries

VCU

Libraries

Screencast Instruction Applications

• Hybrid library instruction (both live and online class content)

• Course-integrated library instruction

• Stand-alone workshops

• Video tutorial often used to introduce the class content

• RSS feeds provide an alternate method for returning to class content

• Videos used as demos for liaison visits and events

VCU

Libraries

More Resources

• Podcasts @ Cabell Libraryhttp://blog.vcu.edu/cabellpodcasts/

• Librarycasting SE http://blog.vcu.edu/lse/

• Presentationhttp://www.people.vcu.edu/~bjphifer/VLA2006/presentation.ppt

• Handouthttp://www.people.vcu.edu/~bjphifer/VLA2006/handout.pdf