Podcasts, anyone?


Proving that she is comfortable leading the pack, librarian Ellen Peterson has initiated one of the first campus-wide podcast projects at MCC. A grant made possible by Perkins funds, along with assistance from the Media Center, will allow Ms. Peterson’s library and information literacy instruction videos, as well as footage from a number of MCC courses, to be available as both audio and video podcasts to students.

“Podcasts are becoming an increasingly popular method of instruction on many college campuses because they provide digital content that students can download and take with them on their portable digital devices. For years, instructors at MCC have been making their courses available for viewing online, but now, with podcast technology, students can review course content at home, in the car or at the beach,” says Ellen Peterson.

Although the percentage of students who own iPods seems to be rapidly increasing, Ms. Peterson’s grant has allowed for the purchase of 25 video iPods that the library will loan to students. These iPods can be checked out to students at the library circulation desk, just like books, CDs and DVDs. If this new program is popular, the library plans to continue developing services that embrace new technologies and innovations.