Faculty Directions, Spring 2006 - Podcasting Coming Soon to Clemson University

Barbara Weaver
Educational Technology Services

Even the least observant of us can't help noticing the many students walking around campus with the distinctive white iPod earphones dangling from their ears. We feel confident in our surmising that they are listening to some music they downloaded from iTunes or some other Internet source. In recent years, some universities have tapped into the potential of podcasting to deliver academic material. That technology is coming soon to Clemson.

In February, ETS (Educational Technology Services), on behalf of the University, submitted an application to participate in a new Apple program called iTunes U. We received word in March that we've been selected. ETS is currently working with Apple, other CCIT staff, and interested faculty and staff to develop policies and processes for podcasting. Some of the issues to work out are recommended software, development procedures, training, uploading procedure, and administration of Clemson's iTunes U site, where faculty can upload audio recordings of class materials. Students will subscribe to the class, which will allow those course materials to automatically download to the students' laptops and then their iPods or other MP3 players. Audio is the first priority, but video podcasting is also planned. Most students do not have a video-capable iPod, so using video limits students to watching video podcasts on their laptops. Podcasts for potential students, incoming freshmen, transfer students, the general public and even faculty and staff are also part of the overall plan.

Anyone interested in developing podcasts should contact Barbara Weaver at weaver2@clemson.edu.