UD podcasts are a hit

Jay Russell Lewis, a graduate assistant with University Media Services, mixes the audio from presenters with questions from audience members using wireless microphones while capturing the presentation’s slide transitions on a laptop computer. This method allows for the creation of a podcast that synchronizes audio with visuals at an event.

3:13 p.m., April 28, 2006--Podcasts of special events, major press conferences and guest lecture series at the University of Delaware are becoming increasingly popular and the selection is growing, Paul Rickards, manager, IT-University Media Services, said.

Podcasting, the distribution of video or audio files over the Internet for listening on mobile devices and personal computers, makes it possible for content to be delivered automatically to a personal computer, Rickards said.

After the content has been delivered, it can be transferred to a portable device, such as an iPod, for listening while driving, walking or riding a train or bus, he said.

“UD podcasts began in late December of 2005 and since then we have increased the number of hits at a steady pace,” Rickards said. “Users seem to like the convenience of having content that was once scattered in many different places delivered automatically.”

This month, a video of the 10-year anniversary of the Trabant University Center has received the most hits, followed by a video of the April 4 press conference to introduce Monté Ross, UD's new head basketball coach, Rickards said. Two of UD's Global Agenda lectures, including one by John Bolton, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, also are available as podcasts.

All recordings are made with advance permission from both the speakers and sponsors of the events.

Most of the UD podcasts include videos, which are playable on computers as well as many portable devices. The podcasts are often made available as audio only in MP3 format. Podcasts are usually available online within a day of the event or several days later, depending on the amount of post-production work involved.

UD podcasts can be downloaded by subscribing to the feed using iTunes software, which is available as a free download at [www.apple.com/itunes]. Users can subscribe to the same content in the iTunes podcast online directory under University of Delaware. Alternatively, users can download the podcasts by visiting the UD podcasts web site [www.ums.udel.edu/podcast] and those without iPods can still listen to the audio-only version on any MP3 player.

On future plans for the service, Rickards said, “Podcasting would be a natural fit for recruiting or other activities where you need to deliver content that is timely and needs to be portable. You can have a narrated, self-guided tour of the campus right on your iPod.”

Article by Martin Mbugua
Photo by Paul Rickards

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