MLA CE Week 7

This week we are exploring Podcasting and Video Sharing. The reading assignments provided valuable insights into the technology powering these new forms of communication.

I was impressed by the extent of available content in Podcasts. Subject material includes both academic topics and personal areas of interest. Some of the material is professionally produced by organizations but much of it seems to come from individuals. Having recently visited the BodyWorlds Exhibit, I enjoyed listening to the comments from University of Virginia Ethics Faculty on the exhibit. Their podcast is titled "Displaying Dead And Different Bodies: Spectacle / Sideshow / Education ? I differ with some of their comments but I found the discussion interesting. I found this exhibit to be highly educational providing a unique opportunity to better understand the complexity of our bodies.

While I have not produced a podcast the procedure seems simple and straightforward requiring a computer, digital microphone, and Internet access. Large IT Departments and / or expensive equipment are not needed to accomplish this goal. This technology could be used to record Grand Rounds, nursing in-service presentations, special messages from hospital administration, or community lectures . Employees could could access this information at anytime via the Internet. Links to public education lectures could be placed on the library's homepage. Small Community Hospital Libraries with limited staff could use this technology to leverage their institutions. Programs could be developed to provide health care workers with the CME needed to renew clinical licenses. This could also be used to market hospital services to the community and to promote the Medical Library as a place to locate reliable health information.

Online video is another story. I have explored U-Tube in the past and I still see major difficulties in creating, producing, and utilizing this resource as a medium of communication in a small medical library. I have attached a video tour of Harper College Library at the end of this post as a case in point.

In using this technology a number of issues seem to exist. One must develop a well scripted program that clearly and effectively communicates your message to a specific audience. This requires a knowledge of both the subject matter to be presented and the target audience. One is limited by the short length of most of these videos (Ten minutes or less). If the topic is complex more time might be required to effectively communicate the information. Multiple audiences e.g., LVN's RN's might require several different versions. This implies a substantial staff time commitment to develop a program.

Some information might be communicated more effectively in person rather than on a video. If I was a student, knowing where library functions are physically located appears to be more important than being told that the Reference Librarians can help you find needed resources. A live tour conducted by trained volunteers could show students the organization of the library more effectively than a video. In addition, live tours provides students with the opportunity to ask specific questions about the housing of materials within the library.

The necessity to use "hip" technology to lure students into the library by implying it is a "cool" place to be seems sad to me. If this kind of reassurance is needed, perhaps the individual is not ready for the experience an institution of higher learning aims to instill. Perhaps we need to rethink the way we are raising our children and the value we have placed on social acceptance versus the ability to accept and defend one's own opinions. Curmudgeon!!!

An additional problem I have with U-Tube involves the experience I have watching these videos. I have not been able to adjust my computer setting to allow seeing these videos in anything but a stop / start fashion. They are slow to load and play hesitantly. This does not produce a setting conducive to learning.

Recording a program requires expensive equipment that many Community Hospitals do not possess. Uploading short programs seems simple. Longer programs would require streaming and this involves storage issues, IT support, and major expense not available in the Community Hospital Setting.

BELOW IS A U-TUBE VIDEO TOUR OF HARPER COLLEGE LIBRARY: