InfoScope

I will admit right off the bat that I have never been able to get into podcasts.  I think it stems from the fact that I am not an auditory learner.  The thought of having to listen to a lecture without any visuals is downright intimidating to me.  I’ve always had trouble understanding and learning new and complex information when there is no visual component.   So being aware of my own biases and limitations,  I tried to explore this week’s readings and case studies on podcasting with an open mind.

I was surprised to learn that podcasting has some interesting characteristics that I didn’t know about, as pointed out in the articles by Connie Crosby and The Educause Learning Initiative, as well as in this week’s excellent group presentation:

• First, they are intended to be portable.  You can listen to them on your iPod or MP3 player.  I have always listened to podcasts at my computer, but it only makes sense that you can listen on a portable device.
• Secondly, they are syndicated so if you subscribe, you will receive the newest updates.  Again, I was unaware of this feature. 
• Finally, they have seriality.  Crosby says that there is an element of committment involved in real podcasting.  This made me think of podcasting sort of like audio-blogging.  You have to post regularly to keep your listener-ship. 

In exploring some of the library podcasts I realized that I would probably be able to get more out of a podcast if the information was broken down into chunks for me.  As a result, I like the way Dowling College Library gives a little outline (including time marks) for the topics covered in each of their podcasts.  Although I wasn’t able to listen due to some technical difficulties, this type of information would make a big difference to someone like me.  Just knowing where the podcast is going and what will be covered helps a lot.   I also realized that many podcasts are more like radio programming with a variety of content such as music and interviews.  This is more appealing to me than a lecture-style educational podcast and I would probably find this type of programming useful and enjoyable. 

Although Lansing Public Library has an informative  Podcast Information Page  I found the directory of podcasts hard to understand.  You just don’t know what you’re going to get when you click on the links.  Is something going to start downloading?  What?  So when I clicked on “adult programs” I was suprised to find myself on a page that had non-podcast links (to blog entries)  in addition to a podcast link (which again wouldn’t load properly).  It was confusing. 

I think that libraries can use podcasts effectively.  For one, they can be used as a PR tool.  Crosby talks about Jim Milles who has raised the visibility of his library by creating a podcast called Check This Out!  Libraries can also create podcasts on their websites to help their users make the most of library resources.  A couple of things that I thought might be good uses for podcasts in this context  include presenting information in other languages such as library hours, programming and events.  Also, this technology might be useful for individuals that have difficulty reading. 

While I still don’t know how much I will ever make use of podcasts, I am open to the idea that they might be useful for others.  By making information available in a variety of formats and by using different technologies, libraries can better match the unique needs of individual users.