Podcasting in a Blended Learning Environment

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Podcasting in a Blended Learning Environment

• Alberta Childrens Services

ADETA 2007
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Presenters

• Caroline Wagenaar
• Organization Development Training Consultant
• Alberta Childrens Services
• Marguerite Koole-Ady
• Instructional Media Analyst Program
  Administrator (Doctoral Program)
• Athabasca University

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Overview

• What is your experience?
• What is podcasting?
• Why is podcasting a solution for ACS?
• Tips for developing engaging podcasts
• Sample formats
• Final comments

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Discussion questions

• What are podcasts?
• Do you listen to podcasts?
• Why, when and where do you listen to podcasts?
• What tools do you use to listen to podcasts?
• Are you planning to develop podcasts in the near
  future?

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What is podcasting?

• Podcasting iPod broadcasting
• Digital audio files
• Short segments
• Access from various devices
• computer, blackberry, iPod, MP3 player, cell
  phone
• Deliver via
• LMS, Intranet, website, RSS feed
• Popular because
• Easy, portable, available on demand

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Alberta Childrens Services

• Ministry programs and services
• Child protection
• Family Supports for Children with Disabilities
• Adoption and foster care
• Day care/day home accreditation
• Prevention programs
• FASD, family violence and bullying, etc

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Employee Profile

• 3000 employees in 200 worksites
• 18 Delegated First Nations Agencies
• Caseworkers are highly mobile
• Many caseworkers are in their 20s and 30s

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Workforce Development Issues

• Issues driving need for change
• Changes to legislation, policy and practice
• Employee turnover
• Younger workforce
• Increased workloads
• Increased demand for training
• Fewer trainers
• Current transitions
• Classroom only ? blended learning
• 80 new videoconference sites
• LMS implementation

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Podcasting as a solution

• Podcasting in ACS blended learning environment
• Allows staff to learn while in transit or in the
  office
• Provides exposure to current research, experts
• Just-in-time learning
• Alternative to text-based information and updates

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Podcasting as a solution (2)

• Supplemental/review content for classroom
  learning
• Format for case studies
• Combine with online testing for mandatory content
• Tool for team learning

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Tips for developing podcasts

• Make it engaging and entertaining
• Keep content short
• Use multiple speakers
• For professional quality, work with a sound
  studio and professional voice talent
• Mimic radio formats
• news reports, interviews, music, sound effects,
  even commercials
• Use a variety of formats in a single podcast

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Sample 10 minute script
- Meta data title, name of speaker, date -
Intro music - Preview of material - Sponsors
comment - Main content piece newscast -
Commercial break contact information -
Secondary content piece interview - Review and
wrap up - Exit music

• 30 sec
• 30 sec
• 1 min
• 3 min
• 30 sec
• 3 min
• 30 sec
• 30 sec
• 30 sec

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Sample formats

• See handout
• Discuss and record notes

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Discussion Questions

• What features are positive/negative about this
  podcast sample?
• What are some learning applications for this type
  of podcast?
• What are the pros cons of using this format to
  develop a podcast?

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Final comments

• Thank you!