(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)NORMAL, Ill., May 03, 2006 (The Daily Vidette, U-WIRE via COMTEX) –The School of Communication is looking to enhance some of its classes by supplementing additional classroom material via iPod podcasting.

“We are in the process of developing podcast production facilities, and we want to utilize podcasts in the most appropriate way possible,” Larry Long, executive director of the School of Communication, said.

The School of Communication is looking to provide additional ways for classes to incorporate technology.

“In some of those classes, for example, if we are going to be teaching a course in documentary, if given the opportunity it may be the instructor’s decision to make those documentaries, particularly the ones we have the rights to, available for podcasting which would allow students to have the ability to download that into their iPod,” Long said.

Because of the expense and availability of video iPods, other ways to view the documentaries will be available for students.

“We’re also aware that not everybody is going to have an iPod video, so along with that we know that we would need to make those things available through streaming on the Internet,” Long said.

Having an iPod would not be a requirement for any podcasting course.

“We certainly do not want to give preferential treatment to one particular group simply because they had the financial resources to get something that someone else does not have,” Long said.

Students are not expected to have to pay for the podcasts.

“Right now we would like to make our content we currently generate available to people who would like to subscribe,” Long said.

Students that have some type of mp3 player and Internet access will be able to view the podcasts with or without an iPod.

“I think this is great and it is such an advancement in technology for students and ISU,” sophomore mass communication major Gina Grant said.

“The ability to watch classroom materials through an iPod is incredible and it makes me wonder where it could lead to in the future,” she said.

There is no exact date when podcasting will become available to students.

“I don’t know exactly when that is going to happen, and we are working on it,” Long said.

Long said he thinks other colleges will find an interest in podcasting.

“I suspect that we will see other departments and lots of other universities following,” he said.

The School of Communication discussed podcasting options and felt it had the proper equipment to start podcasting for classes.

“We have the content, we have the equipment so we can make those things become a reality since we have a larger technology and expertise in house already,” Long said.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/05/03/1637204.htm