Talking to Administrators about Podcasting

Administrators are in a unique position to catalyze new technologies like podcasting within the district. This week’s show will focus on some tips for talking to your adminstrator about podcasting.

First up – What is the wishlist that teachers might give to an administrator regarding podcasting. In other words, 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

Next up, 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

The big picture is what is important in your initial conversations. Offer to help your adminstrator produce a podcast discussing news and achievements within your school. That will help them see, first hand, the equipment you will need and how it might be used.