More than just noise: Library podcasts that teach

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More than just noise Library podcasts that teach
VCU
Libraries
VLA Annual ConferenceThursday, November 9, 2006
Bettina J. PhiferJill S. StoverPeter Kirlew
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Podcasts at work and play

• A podcast for every interest
• Smoothie Cast
• Godcasts
• McDonalds
• NPR
• Museum Pods
• Day in the Life of an ME
• ASU Libraries

• Whos listening?

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Smoothie Cast
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Smoothie Cast
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Godcasts
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McDonalds
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NPR
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Museum Pods
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Day in the Life of an ME
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ASU Libraries
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Podcasts defined

• Podcasts Sound Syndication
• MP3 Sound recording format (.mp3)
• Syndication Making a Web feed available
• RSS
• iPod not required

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Podcasts _at_ 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
• Lets listen!

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Libraries
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What were we thinking? (Rationale)

• Address FAQs
• 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

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Podcasting Basics

• 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.

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.
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Libraries
Promotion

• VCU Libraries Web page (Help page)

• VCU Web page

• Point-of-Need (example Blackboard)

• Undergraduate outreach (example Newsletter)

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VCU Libraries Web page (Help page)
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VCU Libraries Web page (Help page)
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VCU Web page
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VCU Web page
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Point-of-Need (example Blackboard)
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Undergraduate outreach (example Newsletter)
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How were 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?

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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?

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Screencasting for Library Instruction
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Technology, Instruction and Outreach Integration
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Screencast Production
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More Resources

• Podcasts _at_ Cabell Libraryhttp//blog.vcu.edu/cabe
  llpodcasts/
• Librarycasting SE http//blog.vcu.edu/lse/
• Presentationhttp//www.people.vcu.edu/bjphifer/V
  LA2006/presentation.ppt
• Handouthttp//www.people.vcu.edu/bjphifer/VLA200
  6/handout.pdf