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[edit] Abstract
Podcasting at FSU's Goldstein Library
As the Web 2.0 Phenomenon continues to expand Podcasting has become a common and important method for spreading content. Educational outlets have seized this technology and are actively creating content to help students of all levels. The Harold Goldstein Library at FSU is the primary support library to FSU's sizable Library Science program. Here professional librarians are creating podcasts that cater specifically to the Library Science community, making these Podcasts particularly rarified and esoteric but expertly tailored to their audience. I intend to discuss the process of identifying the audience for these podcasts, their production, their aims, their rationale, and their content.
[edit] What's a Podcast?
The world "Podcast" is a portmanteau for the two words iPodand broadcast, "Pod" rhymes with "broad" and thus a catchy, "new" word is born. Broadcasting is obviously the "casting" of data over "broad" area, and an ipod is a personal music player designed and trademarked by Apple computers, first released in 2001. The name "podcast" is actually a misnomer, because it implies that podcasts can only work on an iPod, when in fact they are simply a streaming or downloadable mp3 that can be played on any .mp3 player or computer with audio capability.
A podcast can be about literally any subject that its creator, the podcaster, deems worthy of discussing. Because of this podcasts have become a cornerstone of Web 2.0 and participatory internet culture. Anyone with basic access to a computer, microphone, and the internet can create a podcast with very little prerequisite knowledge. If an potential podcaster's computer lacks the necessary software to record audio, they are several free programs available for download, like Audacity which works on PC, Mac, and Linux.
With the invention of the video iPod Podcasting took on a new meaning. Where as it used to define an audiocast exclusively, Podcasting can now refer to user created videocasts that are distributed and intended like their audio cousins, like Iriver, or Microsoft's Zune.
[edit] Why Podcast at the University Level Library?
There are probably thousands of potential podcasts which could be generated from within the walls of any University: lectures, lab instructions, directions, FAQ answers, how to's of innumerable varieties, the list goes on. So what about the University library? Why not the university library?! The are numerous topics that can and should be discussed in a library, and presumably thousands of members of the students, staff, and faculty who'd want to listen to them.
The real question should be "why not make podcasts?" Podcasts are downright easy to produce. Even the nicest most well edited podcasts do not require an excess of effort. Depending on the person in charge, making a podcast could end up taking way less time that trying to create a tutorial using only text, particularly if the tutorial can be listened to along with the task being performed ie: " look at the upper right hand corner, select X..."
"Podcast" is a buzz word and that is more than any podcasting librarian can ever hope for. The novelty of podcasting should be exploited immediately. Thousands of people are actively looking for podcasts to listen to, thousands of students are carrying mp3 players and are tired of being tied to computers when they'd rather be doing and learning on the go. There is a demand for podcasts at the university level and that alone should be more than enough reason for every university library to take an active role in podcasting, addressing both new concepts and as an alternative to extant text based guides, tutorials, pathfinders, and other rescues.
Many, if not most, students come to university with an extremely limited understanding of their library's capacity and potential. Most of these student have never been required to use a library for any serious textual research, let alone the wide world of online databases. These applications and procedures can be extremely intimidating for a new user, and often beginners are too embarrassed or shy to approach an information professional and ask for assistance. Podcasting can offer some very real and effective solutions to this problem.
An "instructions" web page is rarely helpful and is often leaves a user more confused than when they started, a podcast however (particularly a video cast) can be extremely effective in explaining procedures and reasons for using specific library resources. Imagine it. Instead of blindly navigating a complicated database a user could open a podcast in a Quicktime window, follow the well explained steps, pause and repeat at their whim, and eventually find what is required. All without have to deal with a potentially awkward social situation or a long wait for a library employee.
There has been a great deal of research to confirm the effectiveness of podcasing in K-12 education, but what about on the university level? One of biggest criticisms of podcasting in education is the obvious cost associated with mp3 players (especially iPods). On the university level this criticism is completely discarded for several reasons. Firstly, most universities have several open computer labs for their students to use, further more many Universities require students to own or have ready access to a computer, particularly laptops. FSU requires all incoming Freshmen, Sophomores, and transferring Juniors to have a computer and even goes on to require that these computers meet specific hardware/software requirements.
Thus far we've only discusses the faculty to student role of the podcast, but another major application of podcasting is Professional development. University librarians are basically the academic elite in the world of librarianship, they are at the highest level of technique. Thus the only person an academic librarian can really learn from, is a fellow academic librarian. Imagine how much new theory and technique the head librarian at a graduate school of librarianship is privy to. Think of how much he or she can offer to his or her colleagues through this special knowledge, far in advance of whatever trade journals it will be published in during the coming quarter.
[edit] The Future of Podcasts at FSU's Harold Goldstein Library
Podcasting has a bright future at FSU's Harold Goldstein Library. The Head Librarian, Pamela Doffek, has distributed surveys which upon return showed very strong support for both audio and video podcasts about a bevy of topics. The primary targets for these podcasts, according to Mrs. Doffek, are LIS (Library and Information Science) students and faculty, particularly those involved in Florida State's innovative "Distance Learning" program, because these patrons are unable to have access to all of the face to face benefits of their library. Mrs. Doffek believes that her primary listening audience are the students in the College of Information's Master's Degree program, followed by undergraduates and Doctoral Students.
It's easier to plan content for a specific audience. With that audience clearly defined Goldstein's podcasts can move forward to production with exact aims in mind. Mrs. Doffek's years of experience have taught her that "the majority of LIS students don't have needs that are different from non-LIS students. They are uncomfortable with the OPAC, don't necessarily understand how to fully create a search strategy or how and which databases may serve their needs. They have the 'All on Google' first response just like so many other students." By knowing what patrons need, Goldstein can establish what their podcasts must address and thus will be able to provide a wide variety of extremely utilitarian podcasts.
There are already several podcasts in the planning stages for the most needed topics: clarifications of the three Masters degree programs, tutorials to the most commonly used LIS databases, OPAC use, a video tour of the physical library, Interlibrary loan, services to distance students, and undergraduate student support. Once the College and library have reached an agreement about hosting, there should be a planned blog, RSS feed, audio and video podcasts, new and update podcasts, and a podcast of the week feature.
[edit] Reflections
Goldstein's podcast program in still in its embryonic stage, but it's coming of age at the perfect time. As more and more students join the College of Information greater needs will have to be met by a static library staff. podcasting can be an answer to staffing limitations. Many of the questions a patron could want to ask can be answer before they even leave their home to come visit the library. By the very nature of digital media nd education these podcasts are being mad as the demands are created. We are no longer playing catch-up, but rather keeping pace with new technology, technique, and revision.
Think of the potential for students, faculty, and staff. Even though Goldstein's physical doors close at certain hour, the web site is always on. Night owl students will be able to watch and listen as their questions are answered at any hour of the night. Patrons who are intimidated by FSU's complex database system can simply open up itunes (or whatever they use) and play an instructional podcast along side their query. Those who are physically capable of coming to Goldstein and bring their loaded up iPod with them, so they can navigate the OPAC and stacks independently, not having to wait for a free librarian or library tech to assist them. Faculty and staff will be able to have fewer and shorter meetings, because any news or update about Goldstein will be on the web site ready for them to download and listen to in the car, gym, or wherever.
There are so many topics worthy of a podcast that a dedicated librarian could amass an impressive collection of podcasts in a matter of days: the dewey decimal system could be explained against the Library of Congress cataloging system, database explanation and instruction, the ins and outs of each citation style (APA vs MLA the podcast), all the basics of bibliographic instruction. Even something as basic as "steps to check out a book" could and should be covered.
Since we are talking about Web 2.0, where is the other side of the road? The user created material? Goldstein could provide people this outlet. There are cameras, mics, and computers all over the Shores building, let alone in students' homes. Why not give students, faculty, and staff a place to distribute their own library podcasts. Students could make posts like "My Four Favorite Shelves in the YA Section," "Where to Find Books for College of Education Assignments," and "Making Sense of the Award Winners Stacks for Non-Librarians." It'd be great, a selection of podcast produced by the library establishment and another section made by "in the trenches" library uses, who can offer a different perspective to their fellow classmates.
[edit] Meta-Podcast
Here is a Podcast that I've produced about the Podcasting project at FSU's Harold Goldstein Library.
[edit] Articles, Chapters, and/or Reports
1. Apple, Inc. (n.d.). Elementary school students become podcasting pros. Retrieved April 2, 2007 from http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/wells/
2. Chauncey, S. (2006, November). School library 2.0: Podcasts how-to. School Library Journal. Retrieved April 7, 2007, from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6389459.html?q=podcasts
3. Havens, J.C. (2007). Podcasting in education. Retrieved April 10, 2007, from http://podcasting.about.com/od/podcastingineducation/a/kinginterview.htm
4. Ishizuka K. (2005, September). Tell me a story: A media specialist promotes reading, with pocasts. School Library Journal. Retrieved April 7, 2007, from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6389459.html?q=podcasts
5. Kaplan-Leiserson, E. (2005). Trend: Podcasting in Academic and Corporate Learning. Retrieved April 9, 2007 from http://www.learningcircuits.org/2005/jun2005/0506_trends.htm.
6. Lamb, A. & Johnson, L. (2007). Podcasting in the school library, part 1: Integrating podcasts and vodcasts into teaching and learning. Teacher Librarian, 34(3), 54-57. Retrieved April 7, 2007, from OmniFile Full Text Mega Edition database.
7. Shanahan, T. & Strickland, D.S. (2004). Laying the groundwork for literacy. Educational Leadership, 61(6), 74-77. Retrieved April 14, 2007, from OmniFile Full Text Mega Edition database.
8. Shen, F. (2005, October). iPods fast becoming new teacher's pet. The Washington Post. p. B101. Retrieved April 14, 2007 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/18/AR2005101801670.html
9. Shen, F. (2005, October). Teachers see iPods as educational tool. The Seattle Times. Retrieved from http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2002571859_podschool20.html
10. Smithsonian Education. (2006) Website dedicated to teaching educators the benefits of podcasting. Retrieved April 10, 2007 from http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/podcast/index.html
11. Stephens, M. (2007). All about podcasting. Library Media Connection, 25(5), 54-57. Retrieved April 7, 2007, from OmniFile Full Text Mega Edition database.
[edit] Relevant Websites and Web-based Materials
1) Apple Podcasting in Education- [1]
2) Darcy Norman; Podcasting for education- [2]
3) k12 handhelds- [3]
4) Learning in Hand; Podcasting- [4]
5) O'reilly Digital media: what is Podcasting?-[ http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2005/07/20/WhatIsPodcasting.html]
6) Podcasts for teachers- [5]
7) Podcasting tools- [6]
[edit] Interview
Pam Doffek- Head Librarian/maker of podacsts.
KO: What kinds of podcasts do you mostly do; audio only, audio visual, video? Where can people access them?
PD: I have only 1 videocast on the Goldstein Page at the moment. See http://goldstein.ci.fsu.edu/about_your_library/tours_of_the_library.htm My plans are to do mostly audio or audio visual types that are both onetime postings or RSS feed.
KO: Do you do them as a need arrises or do you anticipate interest and act according?
PD: I anticipate both. There will be "as need arises" that can't be pre-planned. But I think the majority will be "anticipate interest", e.g. library services, use of databases, opac, CI services.
KO: Being a Library Science Library do you assume that your listeners are from within the LIS community? If so do your podcast address loftier topics than a regular library podcast"?
PD: My primary target audience is LIS students and faculty with an emphasis on the distance learner (and online customer) at the College of Information. I don't think loftier is the term I'd use. I'm not even presuming a LIBRARY expertise. Library Services are Library services and I've found the majority of LIS students don't have needs that are different from non-LIS students. They are uncomfortable with the OPAC, don't necessarily understand how to fully create a search strategy or how and which databases may serve their needs. They have the All on Google first response just like so many other students.
KO: What kind of podcasts are planned for the future? Tutorails, discussions of library changes, discussion of theorhetical typestuff ?
PD: In the future: overall into to Goldstein to include a quick mention of all 3 program support student needs; tutorials of the most used LIS databases, OPAC use; news and updates, Video tour of the physical library, Inter-library loan, services to distance students, undergraduate student support, Podcast link of the week feature.
KO: If the School allows it, will you have a more obvious way to get to your podcasts via the CI website"?
PD: CI (webmaster and network administrator) are presenting me 2 alternatives for posting on the Goldstein page. One is a packaged solution that includes audio, video, blog and RSS feed to the pod/vodcasts. Do you feel the podcasts need to be accessed from the main CI page? or primarily from Goldstein. Perhaps a link to the Goldstein podcast entity? The same webmaster (Melissa Raulston has been hired full time) supports both websites.
KO: What kind of guidelines do you follow when making a podcast, or do you free form them"?
PD: A general outline is always necessary. I'd plan for a complete script to follow for continutiy and completeness. But a bit of extemporaneousness of course will be advantagious. I'm relatively good with freeform using a general outline of topics or ideas. I'd plan to use the GA's for some of these and would prefer they work from a script until I feel more comfortable with their capabilities.
KO: Who do you think your primary listening audience is ? Have your listeners reponded with input/ suggestions/ praise etc"?
PD: I'd like to believe my primary listening audience are the Masters Students in the MLIS program then Undergrads and Doc Students. I've received indirect kudos on the (now outdated) video tour but nothing direct. I conducted a survey last spring on library support. EVERYONE says they are supportive of podcasts and vodcasts and think they are gread and my preliminary subjects are what they want...but it remains to be seen.
