The document discusses using podcasting to connect with online students. It begins by outlining learning objectives around discussing the advantages of adding audio to online courses, developing podcast themes, and identifying elements for successful podcasts. The document then provides an overview of what podcasting is and the speaker's journey to using them. It offers tips for concept development, recording, filing, and submitting podcasts. The overall message is that podcasts can provide flexible, mobile learning and expand the boundaries of online education.

1. Connecting with eLearners
through Podcasting
Heather Zink
Allied Health Instructor
Rasmussen College – Online Campus
heather.zink@rasmussen.edu (email)
twitter.com/zinkpath (twitter)
facebook.com/heatherzink.at.rasonline (facebook)
download slides: slideshare.net/heatherzink
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2. Learning Objectives
• By the end of our session, you will be able to…
– Discuss the advantages of adding a voice element
to an online course
– Develop a theme or overall concept for a podcast
– Identify key elements to delivering a successful
podcast
– Discuss free resources available to create a
podcast
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3. @ZinkPath
Allied Health instructor at Rasmussen
College, biologist, mom & runner
trying to live a greener life.
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4. Global Overview
What is podcasting?
My journey to connect
Concept development
Time to record!
The places you’ll go!
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5. What is podcasting?
• Multimedia analog to a magazine subscription
• Radio show…with a subscription feature
• RSS – Really Simply Syndication
– Subscription delivered to a virtual doorstep!
• Educators expanding the
boundaries of a traditional
classroom experience
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6. Advantages of the podcast
• Mobile & flexible learning option
• Not anchored to the computer
• Anytime-anywhere access to
instructional content
• Repeated as often as the student
needs
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7. What do you listen to?
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9. Concept Development
• Choose a theme • Campus-based courses
– An overview of the – Record in-class lecture
weekly assignments – Follow-up lecture
– Hot topics in the news answering questions
– Key terms for the week – Pre-lectures ~ listen
– Personal area of before class
expertise – Disease of the week
– Review of journal – Research skills: how to
articles pertinent to the summarize, paraphrase,
topic of the find quality sources, cite
week/module them appropriately
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10. Use your knowledge
• It’s time to work!
• Things to consider…
– Are you passionate about the topic? Will this
resonate in your voice as you speak about it?
– Can you speak on the topic(s) over the course of
several episodes?
– Can you design the episodes so that you are not
"recreating" the wheel each week?
– Is the content similar enough each week that your
energy can be focused on the same types of
information each week?
– Is the content of interest to your students? Will
they be asking for more episodes?
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11. Plan of attack
• Strategy for delivery
– Fresh material
– Consistent frequency
– Units/modules
• Episode design template
– Welcoming intro
– Dynamic content
– Catchy closing
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1/24/2011 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2010. Proprietary and Confidential.

12. Use your knowledge
• Time to work!
• Sample outline
– Weekly course objectives
– Key points from readings ~ HINT: Textbook publishers
offer great instructor resources. These publisher-
created materials are a great place to start for content
to include in each episode.
– Assignment details
– Disease of the week ~ Use a few minutes in each
episode to offer your own twist to the course. Talk
about an area of personal/professional interest. It's
your chance to plant the seeds of lifelong learning into
your students.
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15. The details
• Time management
– Schedule time to create, record, & review the
episode
• Prevent “podfading” ~ follow your strategy
• Choose a filing system
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17. Review & reflection
Choose a Delivery Episode Time Filing
theme strategies design management system
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18. Time to record!
• Tools
– Audio recording software
– Headset with microphone
• Tips
– Find a quiet place
– Have water handy
– Practice your introduction
– Listen to your voice
• Don't stress over it ~ remember that
students just want to hear from you
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19. Oh, the places you’ll go!
• Consider your options -
audio or video
• Pick one and try it out,
don't be afraid to fail
• Utilize free resources to
start off with, get your
voice out there!
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20. Submit Podcast Feed to iTunes
https://buy.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/
www.wimba.com
publishPodcast
© 2008 Wimba, Inc. All rights reserved.

21. Google Listen
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22. Audioboo
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23. Contact Information
Heather Zink
Allied Health Instructor
952-230-5068
heather.zink@rasmussen.edu
Twitter ~ twitter.com/ZinkPath
Facebook ~ facebook.com/heatherzink.at.rasonline
Windows Live ~ heather.zink@rasmussen.edu
Skype ~ heather_zink (Dayton, OH)
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