Pod Save You: Assisting the Transition to Audio-Based Asynchronous Learning

Background: In 2018, an academic health sciences library in the mountain west developed a multimedia studio for students, faculty, and academic staff. Educational projects needing video, audio, and lecture capture could utilize a one-button studio for recording video sessions, microphones for audio, and various screen capture software for lectures. Since the pandemic, this service has seen rapid growth due to academic lectures going exclusively online. This year we launched a dedicated Podcasting Suite to accommodate the increase in students and faculty needing to record lectures or podcasts for others in the medical profession.

Description: This poster will outline the process of creating the podcasting suite and provide equipment rosters and methods other libraries may consider for establishing their own podcast studio. We’ll also cover the administration of the studio including: handling reservations, COVID-19 guidelines, use assessment, and integration into the library’s strategic directions. Finally, we’ll cover creating instructables and quick start guides that assist patrons in accomplishing their podcast creations.

Conclusion: Podcasts created in the space range from topics about teaching strategies in medicine to diagnoses and treatments of skin disorders. The Podcasting Suite has proven to be another way library’s can provide valuable services for asynchronous learning and student projects. We’ve heard from students, staff and faculty that they appreciate the ease of the service and the support behind it. A feedback loop was developed so we can constantly adapt the space to meet the needs of our users where we respond to requests every quarter.