Liveblogging the PodCasting Panel (all quotes paraphrased!)
Mike Harte - University of Otago ITS/Web office
* first taste of podcasting came with streaming lectures into multiple theatres for large class. Podcasting of those streams was very popular
* seven lecture theatres were then equipped with audio recording linked to learning management systems - lecturers opted in. Trial currently in progress.
* During this trial, the <a href=”http://www.otago.ac.nz/itunesu/”>Apple announcement</a> came down. Trouble getting content without running afoul of the embargo.
* Part of an Australasian launch; the UoO was the only NZ university (and the only University outside of Australia)
*one of 300 institutions in iTunesU, but only 63 on the public index. UoO joins the <I>public</i> list.
* iTunesU provides the interface, but all the content is hosted locally by the UoO.
* Phase 2: potential for private content.
* Mike emphasized that the point is “public content” not “students no longer need to come to an 8am lecture.” {I’d beg to differ, given that even Blackboard-based content levels affect attendance}
* UoO provided the benchmark for the Australiasian launch.
* Statistics (4th-7th June):
# three thousand eight hundred and twelve downloads
# most popular content: ‘Life At Otago’
* Challenges
# fresh content
# copyright and waivers
# lecturers targetting material by selective recording and release
* Next step: editorial board to guide the public site
Anton Angelo (ITS/Helpdesk)
* podcasting isn’t new - the ways of accessing audio <I>is</i>
* open: anyone who wants to can make content
* quality issues: what is “professional” quality in a podcast?
* key theme: voice communication as a leveller in communication and community.
Chris (Design 4th year working on podcasting)
* a bit about aural landscapes and the place of podcasting in it
Question: What does this initiative bring to UoO?
Answer: (MH) - prestige (being there alongside Berkerly and Yale) and marketing/promotion, through showcasting student work. There is also a connection with alumni, a place that can act as a touchstone with graduates.
(AA) - Guardian article talking about the mobility of students, esp. postgrads, who are looking for the highest levels of teaching ability and quality. This gives teachers a chance to present themselves in the best light.
Question: Do you think academic staff are ready to podcast their lectures?
Answer (MH) - a question for the podcasting trial. Trying not to leap ahead. There is still great debate about the recording of lectures, that is why the trial is opt-in. Ongoing discussion in CALT about the application of these technologies.
Question: A lecturer is only one component of a course - there are other aspects of the student experience (tutorials, camraderie). All of these are not there (in iTunes). Is this potentially going to be a misleading representation?
Answer (MH): This is where I think the media missed the point. This is about showcasing aspects of the Otago experience. But you can use it, its a great tool for recording, for prep or revision. But I don’t see it replacing student need.
Question: Given the nature of University, should this be free via the Web (i.e.: in .ogg)?
Answer: (MH) You can link in from the front page of our website. It starts iTunes and takes you in. From our website, you can get the same content without using iTunes, so we’re not being bound to proprietry techniques.
(AA) We’d love to support ogg if the vast majority of the players could support it.
Question: What do you think students would like to see on such a site?
Answer: (Chris) I think they’d like to see what lecturers are like before they take a paper. I’ve taken papers that sounded good, then realized that it was boring (laughter). Also being able to showcase student work, esp. film and media, and music and design. This is what we are about. For prospective students, this would be really good. I wouldn’t download a lecture unless I missed it or was desperate. A fifty minute lecture is enough once. Of course the scarfie social thing as well is a key reason for coming to Otago.
Question: What support are you giving lecturers for presenting to this wider audience?
Answer: (MH) No, early days yes.
Question: Related - for lecturers, this is a fantastic tool for self-reflection. Are there plans to use this for professional development?
Answer: (AA) Seeing yourself is really uncomfortable. I think this is where some, if any, of the resistence is coming in. But I think this fits well with current lecturing practice. But I have recorded lectures because the lecturer was so good I wanted to share it.
(MH) Chris said he’d like to preview the lecture content - but this stuff might be boring for students.
(Chris) As much showing off the students not just to prospective students, but just to make it public. There’s some really good student stuff that people can’t easily access. Just to let students show off to other students.
(AA) I see synergies with dunedinmusic.com. There are lots of recordings around waiting to be broadcast.
Question: Affect on lecturing attendence - its made not a single bit of attendence (they’re still not showing up!) but I get great feedback!
Answer: (MH) It just adds value. You’re only limited by your imagination as to use. A day in the life of…would be a great series. Touring residential colleges, that’d be great! This is public, there is all sorts of potential for the private. iTunesU is a good vehicle to get it up - people are familiar with iTunes. We make access as easy as we can through a known interface.
End of day (Moderator: Mark McGuire)
