Formal Report

Prepared for

Michael Perry

Professor for BISM 2100

Prepared by

Kinsley Hardwick

Formal Report Coordinator

Team Management

November 27, 2006

HOW PODCASTING WILL AFFECT HIGHER EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION

Podcasting is a new technology that has been sweeping across the globe for the last few years.  It first began a few years ago in 2001 but has recently become even more popular within the last year.  With the invention of podcasting, use of this technology has increased tremendously in the lives of anyone from a computer nerd to a housewife (Bankhofer, 2005).  Podcasting makes it feasible for an executive to watch an important business presentation across the country or it can even allow a father to view a movie of his son or daughter’s first step.  It creates ways for people to communicate across the globe without ever having to be physically in the same place as the other party. 

 This new technology allows people to download video files from the internet or other source onto a computer, laptop, MP3 player, or other types of compatible devices (http://www.glnd.k12.va.us, 2006).  These videos can include anything from a college student watching their History professor’s lecture on their laptop to watching a music video from MTV on your MP3 player.  For example, the Dearborn Public School System in Dearborn, Michigan has begun to use podcasting on their website to post information of their Board meetings via Quicktime (http://www.dearbornschools.org, 2006).  Using podcasts in a school setting has become increasingly popular in the past few years.  Without this technology, simple ways of communicating thoughts over the internet on politics, religion, sports, arts, life, and other information would not be possible (Bankhofer, 2005). 

HISTORY OF PODCASTING

Without the invention of the internet, the simple concept of podcasting would have never been thought of (Van Orden, 2005).  In the 1990s when the internet was first being utilized, webradio was the closest thing to today’s podcasting technology (http://www.podcastblaster.com, 2006). Next to arise in the internet world was weblogging or “weblogs.”  Both are better known today as “blogs”.  “In many ways, the blog is the predecessor to podcasting in this history.”  Blogs permit internet users to convey thoughts and information across the world with the simple “click of a button.”  The process of blogging was then improved by a new technology called RSS or Real Simple Syndication (Educause Learning Initiative, 2005).  RSS was a new “news feed technology” that instantly updated and informed a blog user of the latest information when it was posted (Van Orden, 2005).

This is just the beginning of the development of podcasting.  Only in the past few years has this technology exploded in popularity in businesses, education, and even within personal use. In the internet world today, receiving updated information via the internet is an instant process with up-to-the-second speeds.  This would have never been made possible without the persistent work and fresh ideas of three men.  These men pioneered ways to increase the speed of updated information to momentum that it is today.

The Initial Idea of Podcasting

As early as the year 2000 was the idea of podcasting recommended (Wikipedia, 2006).  Although this is true the most popular names that lead the way in the development of podcasting were Adam Curry, David Winer, and Tristan Louis in 2001 (http://www.podcastblaster.com, 2006).  Adam Curry was originally known as one of MTV’s VJs in the mid 1980s. He knew and disliked the fact that the process of transferring a downloaded file to an MP3 player was not an automatic.  People had to repeatedly look on their computers for new files and update their MP3 players by hand. Adam had the idea to create a way to program the computer and MP3 player to sync and update these files automatically.  Dave Winer designed RSS which was the equivalent of news feed technology making the ability of reading and accessing blogs much easier (Van Orden, 2005).  Third is Tristan Louis.  He also cooperated with Curry and Winer using the RSS technology and his media content to produce the very first pocasting samples (http://www.podcastblaster.com, 2006).

After the technology of podcasting was up and running, it began to be used by multiple people in the talk show and radio businesses.  One of them, Stephen Downes used David Winer’s technology of RSS in order to display audio file “aggregation and syndication” in 2003 (http://www.podcastblaster.com, 2006).  Another man by the name of Christopher Lydon, a talk show host, began to connect files of interviews to his weblogs.  This then motivated Adam Curry to make his iPodder script.  This iPodder script was the forerunner of the popular iPod software we use today (http://www.podcastblaster.com, 2006).  This technology advances more and more everyday.  One day we will look back and think, “how did we ever get by without it?”

Its Growing and Increasing Popularity

Today, it seems like almost everyone has an iPod or some type of MP3 device.  With these past improvements of in the World of podcasting, it is much easier to access videos and music from the internet.  It seems so easy that children as young as Elementary School age are using MP3 player devices and computers as well.  President George W. Bush has even had his weekly radio speeches downloaded from the White House website (http://www.podcastblaster.com, 2006). 

PODCASTING TECHNOLOGY

Even though podcasting has only been around for a few years, the advances in its form and speed are astounding.  Today, the action of choosing a file and downloading it to an MP3 player is automatic.  Actually, downloading podcasts is very much like recording television shows on TiVo.  If you pick a certain show to record on TiVo you have the option of using the “Season Pass” which automatically records every show for that season.  With podcasting, if there is a new music file downloaded, it will automatically update the MP3 player synced to the computer.  Even though it is easy to watch video files on the computer, in order ‘To take full advantage of podcast technology, you will want an MP3 player’ (Young, 2005).

Technological Advances

Now it is very easy for people to create their own podcasts because the type of software on your computer does not even matter (http://web.mit.edu, 2006).  This technology makes information easily accessible especially in a school or business setting.   Presentations in companies and school can be carried not in a binder, but in the palm of your hand.  Transferring PowerPoint on an iPod is easy and still legible.  It was questioned if people would be able to see and read the typing on PowerPoint when scaled down to the size of an iPod, but since their screens are so similar to a computer’s, it is very easy (Young, 2005). 

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

PODCASTING IN BUSINESS

In 2005, Podcasting was rocking business in America. Podcasting was such a craze last year that by media standards it was only surpassed by blogging (Palser, 2006).  Podcasting offers a wide spectrum of uses and may be as influential as email in the computer age.  Whether it is a movie, television show, training seminar, news cast, telephone message or a business meeting Podcasting offers a new platform for media play. Because of this, Podcasting can create new ways to conduct business on an everyday basis. 

The Impact of Podcasting in the Business World

Businessman can save time from every aspect of Podcasting; listening to a Budget proposal from the Materials Department or watching a presentation on future sales objectives. Podcasting can bring convenience to the stressed out businessman. It can save the time and hassle of traveling with a suitcase full of documents and a laptop. For example, f a businessman is traveling from Chicago to New York then all he will need is an MP3 player with his converted files and airline ticket. Throughout the duration of their flight, they can listen and prepare for the upcoming business event (Hopkins Business Communication Training, 2006).

More Efficient Business Training Programs

With Podcasting, business managers are able to setup unconventional ways to train their new employees or existing ones upon promotion.  When a business or corporation goes through departmental changes or reaches a different growth stage, the company will want to make the transition go as smooth as possible. When an employee is promoted he/she is able to receive the MP3 file which will contain the necessary documents needed to get up to speed with the new job. Such documents may include new software training, job description, co-employee duties, district manager’s names, and vendor contacts and locations. Implementing Podcasting technologies into the workplace and budget will create a more efficient work environment (Hopkins Business Communication Training, 2006; Pont, 2005).

Saving Money and Expanding the Company

Because of this added room in the budget will be focused upon the Human Resources department. Human Resources will need to hire another employee to handle the MP3 files and meet up with departmental managers to create what is needed. The budget committee will need to allocate proper wages to support the new employee(s). The new employee(s) will need to videotape or verbally record the information through standardized software and format the files over to a MP3 file. Although initial discrepancies will arise but the company, operating in the long-run will benefit from the implementation of innovation called Podcasting. Other associations are adding Podcasting to their arsenal of training and learning tools (Shepherd, 2006).

The Small Business Association has added Podcasting to train new small business owners. The S.B.A will use podcating to familiarize the new owners or existing busy owners with strategic tactics to stay competitive in the business market. It will offer training videos on starting, expanding, and financing a small business. This will free up manpower for the S.B.A and can be accessed 24 hours of the day. Podcasts can be listened to or downloaded to a MP3 player and various other subjects will be added. (T+D, 2006).

PODCASTING IN EDUCATION

Podcasting is quickly becoming widely used for educational purposes. Even in the middle and elementary schools kids and teachers have started using this technology to improve their teaching and learning experiences. They have found children to be very open to new technological improvements and designs. They found the opportunity of using podcast for their homework. This technology is more fun for young students and it strongly motivates them to study.  Darren Wilson, instructional technology specialist at Haney Elementary School, said: “the kids know they can’t record without being prepared.”(Warlick, 2006) Children have to study the material before they record the podcast. They learn a lot practicing the presentation they would like to post online and are excited knowing that their work will be accessible anywhere the world (Technology Update, 2006).

In other schools students are using podcasting to practice and evaluate their language skills. At Moorestown Friends High School in Pennsylvania this program was so successful that the school is considering making a special podcasting class for their students. High school students, who are learning French and Spanish, are using iPods to record their assignments. Then, they are able to catch the mistakes and improve their speaking skills (Technology Update, 2006).

Middle School kids also look for additional experience and fun which is related to working with podcasting. They understand that publishing their projects on the website will allow everyone to view their presentation. It motivates them to put more effort to their work. Using podcast at schools is very easy to apply.  Teachers do not need any special equipment to provide credible resources in podcasting. They need only computer, microphone, and access to the Internet. Students who were unable to attend the class have a chance to review material and check school assignments (Technology Update, 2006).

Podcasting and Higher Education

However, in the level of higher education the goal is to teach students to use the current technology in their learning. Professors at the North Carolina Central University have to take special courses, which inform them how to incorporate podcasting in their teaching style. It was decided that this technology would a perfect idea to use for teaching class material. “Faculty can now deliver their lectures via podcasting” (Futurist, 2006) and students can download these files on their iPods, or laptops. They have access to these lectures at any time and will be able to study at their own convenience. (Futurist, 2006).

Some major schools such as Duke University or Georgia College and State Univeristy are promoting iPods within their students. They mainly focus on freshmen. These schools see the big advantage of using this new technology in their learning system. Technology develop very quickly but “iPods are not just toys and podcasting is not just a fad” (Vess, 2006). The podcasting is widely used for students to make a review before the exams. In the classes such as music, students are able to listen to pieces they need to know for the exam. Deborah Vess, who teaches history classes, used podcasting as an opportunity to give students the ability to download the presentations about the classes, which includes charts and hyperlinks in addition to the regular lecture. The biggest advantage is that student can stop and repeat the particular podcast as many times as necessary and focus on the area which is more important or less understandable for them. During the regular lecture it is impossible. Due to time constraints, podcasting is a perfect way of submitting the assignments. It also allows the ability to see their classmates’ assignments at a convenient time instead of staying few minutes longer after class. It is also easier for teacher to grade it. (Vess, 2006).

Georgia College and State University is one of the first universities which decided to use podcast to improve students’ education. Program was adopted in 2002 – almost immediately after the introduction of the iPod. Podcast is used in the education in various classes and programs About 5000 IHE’s students received the iPods when they started the course at the GCSU. Many times students have troubles with finding time, or motivation to study. Professors are recording some of their lectures and make them accessible as podcast. Students can learn a lecture while they are traveling to school and be prepared for the intellectual discussion during the class. Another idea promoted by Georgia College and State University faculty is a podcasting which gives students information about the places they are going to visit for their history classes or hints regarding foreign languages students may want to use during their conversation on the study abroad programs. Students can simply keep their iPod and “listen to podcasts of Irish poetry while walking the Celtic countryside” (Angelo et al., 2006).

The Convenience of iPod use in Schools

iPods are very convenient and students can easily save the data and other resources on their iPod and carry it to the library. Using the microphone students can record their notes from the library on the iPod as well as record the interviews and their thoughts and ideas. Also practicing for the final presentation is another big advantage of using podcast in education. Students who would like to produce good podcast have to repeat their recording until they would achieve the required result. Because they practice a lot it raises their self-confidence and they are more willing to speak out loud at the class (Vess, 2006).

Big corporations also understand how important is to collaborate with Universities in providing education about their product in demanded market. IBM is the first company who decided to work with the University of Arizona in educating business students in Web 2.0. It is a technology which includes “blogs, online social networking, and podcasting” (Swedlung, 2006). The IBM’s management realized that these new technologies are the technologies used by new generations. Business students have to have better understanding of usage of these technologies because this is a future. IBM decided to start this academic initiative to make sure that students are staying up to date with current sources of communication and presentation. It is also an emerging job market where college students have the opportunities to learn the features of these technologies and use them in their future job (Swedlung, 2006).

RECOMMENDATION

Podcasting has many benefits especially since it is a new technology that is spreading around the globe.  It provides users the ability to listen to music or watch programs on their iPod or other capable device. The ability to carry around a portable music player has been around for many years.  For example, simply walking around with a boom box on the shoulder was popular in the 1970s and so was Walkman which used cassettes and CD ROMs. Today we have smaller and lighter devices which have the same ability and more.  Today we have cell phones which can play music, transmit text messages, work as a personal secretary, and still use it to make phone calls. The magic in these devices is that they are portable which is fueled by pod casting.  Podcasting is used in every day to day life of a modern American, any time someone downloads a PDF to their computer or when anyone downloads a song from the internet for their lap top or iPod they are using pod casting.  It is everywhere and moving faster than you can imagine.

Pod casting is real and relevant, it has advantages and disadvantages.  Used correctly and this technology can make this our great but taken advantage of, and it could hinder our society.  Podcasting in its current form is nothing more than links or articles posted in people’s blogs or websites which allow us insight into their thoughts or view from current issues.  On the grand scale, it is pushing information across the world.  In the war of 1812 a treaty had been signed in Belgium in December 1814 which ended the war but news of the treaty did not reach the British troops who were getting ready to attack Fort Bowyer near Mobile Alabama in time (Wikipedia, 2006).  The British successfully engaged American troops there even though the war had officially ended nearly 3 months earlier.  If podcasting was a technology of the early 1800’s it would not have taken over 3 months for information about the war officially ending but less than one second to receive. Podcasting by itself can not save lives, but the information it carries can, and it does everyday.  Hospitals use podcasting to transfer data about their patients, information like allergies and heart problems which could complicate things on emergency surgeries.  It is also a great tool for people looking for information about political candidates on their stances on certain topics before going to the polls to vote.

Podcasting is a great tool but unfortunately is also used by criminals and for devious acts. The ability to transfer data fast and safely across a large distance is a great tool to any criminal regardless on how much power he has.  Sending top secret documents or even downloading songs off the internet are illegal yet are done everyday.  Millions of people are guilty of peer 2 peer (P2P) file transfers every year.  These people illegally spread songs across the country starting with a single person making the song available.  It spreads like wildfire from 1 person to potentially millions.  The music industry is taken action against people who spread their music because they are losing millions of dollars a year in sales. They have taken many Americans to court and sued for thousands of dollars to try stop people from downloading these files.  Unfortunately, because of podcasting, it is impossible to stop.  

Malicious code such as viruses and worms use pod casting to destroy computers.  They can either search your computer for information about the user helping the creator steal the user’s identity, banking information or just plain destroy their computer by deleting or altering critical computer files. These worms, viruses and Trojans are transmitted through the internet via emails, P2P networks and even embedded in pictures you view on the internet.  They are an unwanted part of society but they are here and although regular cleaning done by the government does occur, there are always more popping up.

Podcasting is a tool used for good and for bad.  It is a tool that works for the user regardless of its content.  Podcasting can be used to download the President’s latest speech to congress or listen to illegal downloaded songs.  We can both evolve with it and use it to help shape our world for either good or evil but one thing is for sure, as person living in a modern world it can’t be ignored.  We at Group Management view podcasting as a great thing.  Podcasting brings us our daily news.  It allows us read blogs on people who we admire or despise to learn what they are thinking.  Podcasting provides us with laughter and updates on political situations that may affect us.  We recommend that the internet keep using pod casting technology and to continue helping to world become a smaller place.

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