The Washington State University Library in Pullman is using podcasting as a method to reach students. These podcasts are a method to provide the person who learns by listening an opportunity to learn about research and library resources in the way that best suits them. As a teaching tool they are a more relaxed, anonymous way to learn, in the student's time and place, while maintaining the human element of the spoken word.

There is nothing difficult about the technology. Remember when you taped a library tour on cassette and checked it out with a player from the circulation desk? This is just the same thing updated. Instead of a cassette we make an MP3 file with a program such as Audacity. A webpage replaces the shelf behind the circ desk, and in the place of the tape player is the user's own computer or MP3 player.

Among the podcasts the WSU librarians have created are tutorials for SearchIt, our online software for locating indexes. The student either brings up the podcast as streaming audio on their computer, or downloads it to their Ipod. They then bring up the library webpage and follow the instructions step by step to search the software. SearchIt is a complex program with several ways to search, so three podcasts were created to cover different methods of using the software. These podcasts are available on the WSU libraries website on the RSS page and in the tutorials list, as well as on the WSU Podcast Wiki. They are available as streaming audio, downloadable files, and RSS feed.

Podcasts can be used to provide research advice for specific classes. Dr. Mike Pope and I, in my role as geology librarian, worked together to create a podcast for his particular classÕs writing assignment. This podcast includes his assignment expectations, and instructions on where and how to find information about the geological history of a specific area. This tool is included as a class resource in WebCT. The podcast is meant to be a reminder of the information that they received in class and in their library session. It will not replace bringing the students into the library classroom to learn how to use library tools. Because the information is also useful to students doing historical geology papers in other classes, it is also listed in the WSU Podcast Wiki, the library RSS feed, and on the subject pages of the geology librarian. Other instructors have said that they like this concept and are planning to get together with their library liaison to create resources for their classes. One of our librarians who is going on a sabbatical in the future is creating podcasts of segments of her lectures, to be used in classes while she is gone.

We have also created short general instruction modules which can be assigned as out-of -class assignments or simply be listed in WebCT as resources for writing a paper. We are creating a series of short podcasts on the library search process. "Choosing Search Terms" is the first of these. We are also doing more specialized podcasts on using special parts of the collection such as the map collection.

Staff training is another teaching function of audio files. Audacity is used to create training modules for individual functions and staff duties. These audiocasts are streaming audio, and placed only on the training pages of the unit that made them. We do not put them on the RSS feed.

The Owen Library Tour is in process. After I broke the cardinal rule of podcasting -- do not be boring -- the project was handed over to a younger staff member who is working on something fun for the students.

Of course we use podcasts for the typical PR functions. We did an interview with the donor of the Kodiak bear that is now housed in the Owen Library. This podcast is listed on the library news page as well as the Wiki, and the RSS page.

The WSU Libraries use Audacity software to create our audiofiles. We chose this program because it is very easy to use. Since it is freeware our only other outlay was for good soundcards in the computers and a good set of headphone microphones, and of course staff time. Audacity can be downloaded from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/.

We have chosen to post on own website rather than through a national podcast host. We have done this because we have the tools and the technical staff to do so. This gives us total control of our product. But if you do not have the tools and the staff, you might want to consider the national sites. We also have a counter on our system that records each time a podcast is accessed. This will give us information on the usefulness of this technology.

Podcasts at WSU - WSU Wiki http://wiki.wsu.edu/wsuwiki/Podcasts_at_WSU
Library RSS page http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/rssapp/rssreader.aspx?feedid=11