The Present and Future of University Podcasting
As universities increasingly try to integrate technology into the classroom more seamlessly, the podcast is getting an academic makeover. A number of universities, many of them out in California, have worked out deals with Apple’s iTunes store to sell professor’s lectures online to students – or anyone else – who wishes to purchase, download, and listen to university lectures. While some CUNY campuses are more pro-active in integrating technology into the educational curriculum than others, one way that graduate students cans get their first taste of a hi-tech classroom is with the Blackboard application.
In addition to on-line collaboration functions, such as holding a virtual class or instant chat session with one’s class, Blackboard is also a good forum to up-load audio files for learning purposes. Rather than teach a class on-line, one can now lecture to a digital voice recorder, connect it to the computer, and upload the converted file straight to the Internet.
There are many methods to accomplish the same end. The GC Advocate’s test staff went for the easiest answer, but there are many alternative options available, ranging from upscale (and expensive) hardware to software voice-conversion programs. Going with the ‘easiest, most fool-proof’ mantra, we found that a digital voice recorder that uploads and connects to a computer via a USB port to be the best option as it requires no additional software or complicated data conversions.
After preliminary research (CNET is a good start), it was determined that an in-store visit would be required to grill the sales help for the answers that the technology-laden web descriptions could not answer. Alex, a salesman at RadioShack, steered us towards the Olympus models, such as the DV-2 ($129.99) or the DS-20 ($139.97), both of which would record a conversation or lecture and easily convert it into an audio file instantly able to be uploaded from a computer.
The DV-2 has a built-in microphone and can record up to 22 hours of audio content. It comes with a docking station and USB connection, carrying case, and runs on two AAA batteries. The DS-20, on the other hand, also has a built-in microphone, but gives you 44 hours of recording time (or equivalent to 128MB flash memory space). It comes with a power adapter, and runs on AAA batteries.
Sony also makes a line of digital voice recorders, the recommended model being the ICD SX25 (starting at $149.99), which provides 11.5 hours worth of recording time on long-play (LP) mode, which translates into 35MB of flash memory. The ICD SX25 comes with a USB connection port, digital voice editing software, a stereo ear receiver, carrying case, and two AAA batteries.
According to Alex, the advantage of the Olympus brand, he said, over the Sony brand of digital voice recorders was their ease of use. “Although we sell both brands,” he said, “the majority of our returns are on the Sony product, because it is not as easy to use as the Olympus is.”
Other options include the Marantz PMD-660 ($499.95), which is equipped to store 35 hours worth of audio content. It comes with a built-in microphone and audio editing can be done on the unit itself (it has two editing modes) or through your own audio editing software. It comes with a USB port and runs on four AA batteries.
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