Good Recommendations about Podcasting

I ran into this very thoughtful post (Talking to Administrators about Podcasting) by Dan Schmit about podcasting in schools.  I’m including excerpts here with my comments, but please go read his original post and take a look at his new book,

…if you are heading to your administrator to ask for assistance in getting podcasting moving in your school, here are some key points to think about:

• Understand the things that are important to administrators
• Focus on student outcomes
• Describe technology needs – stay focused on low threshold applications and supports
• Begin thinking of your school as a network of content experts
• Begin thinking of your school community as a potential audience
• Describe a plan for sustainability

I like what he says about understanding what administrators need.  It’s what I wish I had thought to say at the large group conversation that Will Richardson and I moderated at NCAECT.  The key to making changes in schools is solving people’s problems.  They/we will go for it if it solves a problem.

Also in the post, Dan includes:

..if you are an adminstrator who wants to build capacity for podcasting in your school…here are some places to start:

• Identify the “Great Communicators” in your building
• Give them a mission
• Invest in a mobile podcast station
• Secure some server space
• Make your acceptable use policy – “podcast ready”
• Assign the content tasks to content people and the technical tasks to technical people
• Use your position to promote and encourage the development of your school’s content network

Do read this blog posting from Dan Schmit and his other writings.