Pocasting starting to take traction at universities

The Chicago Sun Times carries an interesting survey of educators use and requirements of podcasting at US universities. They take brief looks at places like DePaul and Duke University. I wish the old media would start linking to the very places they are talking about. I have written about iTunes U and podcasting at universities before. The Washington Post does a fascinating examination of podcasting lectures especially at iTunes U. Early this year, Wright State unveiled plans for dedicated podcasting rooms.

“We
wanted to bring what’s up-to-date, fun and common for today’s students
to the library here at Wright State,” says Sue Polanka, who is the head
of references and instruction for the Dunbar Library. “Myself along
with a few others came up with the idea so students can create digital
files, make power point presentations or create videos using our server
at the library.”
“It’s a growing trend I kind of ignored when I first started using
iTunes and my iPod,” says senior psychology major Rob Beckett, a
student who listens to podcasts and uses the podcasting system on a
regular basis. WSU opens podcasting room – Feature

St. Johns, a university better known for its great books tradition, has a demonstration lab for transforming teaching with technology. Duke has their ISIS lab tracking various new media and technologies and their impact. They also hosted the podcast academy five which has some great podcasts to listen to. Of special interest is the shows at BU’s podcast academy which on teh Saturday, April 29 focused on educational podcasting.

The University of Gloucestershire is consider assessing students through podcasts and DVD rather than traditional exams.

“I
have proposed a radical change to provoke students and staff into a
fundamental discussion of what should happen, to challenge
taken-for-granted assumptions,” she said.
“I would love to see a substantial reduction in the use of examinations
at every level of the university and their replacement by more
21st-century approaches to assessment.”
The Press Association: Podcast plan to assess students

The tech companies are starting to line up. Aside from providing dedicated space in iTunes, Apple has a collaborative server just for wikis etc. Currently 28 universities are officially apart of iTunes U, but Apple estimates about 200 universities have content posted on their service. Apple also now hosts free education content not produced by universities in an initiative called Beyond Campus.   Cisco has also unveiled it’s entry into the lucrative market.

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