2008 Woodie Awards
Tune in for training
LUCINDA SUTHERLAND
BizTech Writer
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: BizTech
"I think the appeal of podcasts is that you feel like you're having some sort of conversation," Mary Frances Casper, who teaches PR courses in the Communication Department, said. "You feel like you're in the room, like you're 'in the know.' It's much more engaging than text alone.
"The more interactive you can make any forum, the more likely people are to be engaged. We've got five senses; we want to use them all. We like things that are very convenient, we like things that are interactive." Casper also pointed out that podcast training can help employers with a major concern with their employees. "We have to wonder whether or not people have the ability to read text and get information out of it."
Businesses using podcasts and webcasts report training time is dramatically shortened when new employees are trained this way. Early data shows that some potential employees view businesses more favorably when they learn that podcasts are part of the training. However, some people are concerned that businesses will become even more impersonal if new employees don't have face-to-face contact with trainers and supervisors.
"There are people that are reluctant and a little concerned about shifting in this direction. Where, instead of having a trainer with me, I'm looking at an iPod," Casper said. "Michael Bugeja has a book out called 'Interpersonal Divide' that talks about how technology, and these types of technology, literally separate us from humanity and how having these types of thing keeps us from engaging on a meaningful level.
"So, I think, on both sides you have this very positive aspect and idea that this is a great way to get information out to a lot of people. Yet you do have to recognize that by putting it into that forum you are removing that human element. You are removing that interaction. I don't see my manager as a person I can trust and rely on when I have a problem and I'm given a piece of equipment rather than a response.
"The more interactive you can make any forum, the more likely people are to be engaged. We've got five senses; we want to use them all. We like things that are very convenient, we like things that are interactive." Casper also pointed out that podcast training can help employers with a major concern with their employees. "We have to wonder whether or not people have the ability to read text and get information out of it."
Businesses using podcasts and webcasts report training time is dramatically shortened when new employees are trained this way. Early data shows that some potential employees view businesses more favorably when they learn that podcasts are part of the training. However, some people are concerned that businesses will become even more impersonal if new employees don't have face-to-face contact with trainers and supervisors.
"There are people that are reluctant and a little concerned about shifting in this direction. Where, instead of having a trainer with me, I'm looking at an iPod," Casper said. "Michael Bugeja has a book out called 'Interpersonal Divide' that talks about how technology, and these types of technology, literally separate us from humanity and how having these types of thing keeps us from engaging on a meaningful level.
"So, I think, on both sides you have this very positive aspect and idea that this is a great way to get information out to a lot of people. Yet you do have to recognize that by putting it into that forum you are removing that human element. You are removing that interaction. I don't see my manager as a person I can trust and rely on when I have a problem and I'm given a piece of equipment rather than a response.
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Adams
posted 12/03/07 @ 9:34 PM MST
Yes podcasting has become one of the best ways for marketing.Business owners provide the information about their products through podcasting.podcasting can also be used to give business training
for the small business owners. (Continued…)
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