Follow-up from LACASIS Program

Greetings LACASIS Enthusiasts : If you can find this blog - you can find my sample podcasts. Three video and one audio-only podcasts are uploaded and should be announced in an RSS feed if you've subscribed.

• Module 1 - Welcome
• Module 1 - Wecome - audio only
• Module 2 - Course Reserves
• Module 3 - Nursing Literature

I hope we all enjoy the program this evening - and come away with some new ideas. -Rachael

Problem solved! It seems iTunes requires a specific XML tag identifying the type of file (audio/mpeg) along with its specific URL and length. Whew. Not sure why iTunes requires this and other RSS feeds don't seem to require it. In any event, I can now submit these podcasts to iTunes for inclusion. But now I'm not sure if I need to provide two RSS links - more to come.

Live from LibraryLand Having the darndest time submitting my podcasts to iTunes! I keep getting the "this feed has no episodes" message. But the RSS seems to work fine in Yahoo reader and the Google reader. To be continued...

Live from LibraryLand Podcast ready: Welcome to the Pollak Library

Live from LibraryLand I am working on an empirical study to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of library instruction delivered via podcast to both traditional on-campus students and distance education students. As the library liaison to the Nursing Department here at Cal State Fullerton, I work closely with the faculty to help meet the information needs and expectations of their students through efforts like library instruction sessions, online research guides, electronic handouts, and personal reference assistance with students in person, on the phone and via email. But most of our Nursing students are RNs working in the field and may not come to campus very often (if at all for those distance folks). So I am putting together some online modules that describe and demonstrate some of the resources and services available through the Pollak Library. These can be viewed online with any media player or downloaded to an iPod for the more mobile student. I have chunked the information into sections so that users can select which components they want to learn more about – or can repeat a specific section if needed. During the summer I surveyed the faculty in the Dept. of Nursing to solicit their input on the content of these modules. And I have created these podcasts based upon faculty feedback. I will promote these to the faculty and students in the department throughout the fall semester. About October I will offer an online survey to nursing students asking them about their experience with the podcasts (successes, shortcomings, etc.). I should note here that the CSUF Dept. of Nursing has been very forward-thinking in terms of technology and opportunities - in fact they have been our participants for several pilot projects. So my thanks to this fine department. I’ll post my progress on this blog and provide links to the podcasts. If you have any comments or suggestions, I’d be delighted to hear them!