Access IT initiative offers interviews, primers in MP3 format

CHARLOTTE – Tech-savvy folks interested in bioinformatics, cyber security, gaming software, visualization technology and other such topics have a new resource for learning on-the-go: podcasts from UNC Charlotte’s College of Information Technology. The podcasts are available from the college’s Web site or through Apple iTunes Music Store; they will likely become available soon through Yahoo!®.

Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. Podcasts are distributed using either RSS or Atom syndication formats.

The College of Information Technology is using its podcast initiative – called Access IT – to make information more accessible and more portable and to help market the college.

“The benefits of these podcasts are very practical to the users and to the university,” said Mirsad Hadzikadic, dean of the College of Information Technology. “Users have a new source of easily accessible information from our staff and faculty and from visiting experts, and the college increases its profile among people who are interested in computing and informatics. And, hosting the podcasts is fun.”

There’s nothing inherently complicated about producing the college’s podcasts. They’re simple, generally informal audio recordings of conversations with professors and guests who have something to say about developments in information technology. Posted as MP3 files on the college’s web site, the podcasts can be heard on a personal computer or portable MP3 player. Making the content widely available for mobile listening is an important step because it provides a mobile option to those who are willing to listen.

“Our podcasts are relatively short – 10 to 20 minutes – but think about how often you’re interrupted during the course of a workday,” said Mark Olson research associate and software developer in the college’s software solutions lab, and co-host with Hadzikadic on most of the Access IT podcasts. “It is hard to pay attention and really absorb what you’re hearing when you’re in the office, with so many distractions. But by loading one of our podcasts to an iPod, you can listen thoughtfully as you commute home, drive to the beach or even work in the yard or at the health club.”

Creating the podcasts is fairly simple as well, but requires some special recording equipment. At UNC Charlotte, Hadzikadic and Olson have improvised a recording studio in the dean’s office. “The equipment we selected is portable by design,” Olson said. “We use three microphones that connect through a firewire audio interface to an Apple PowerBook. We have recorded in the dean’s office but we could move the entire production outside if we wanted to. All the equipment can be powered through the PowerBook battery.”

Hadzikadic and Olson plan to record one a week and expect to roll out enhanced podcasts – including video – in the next few months. They have produced and posted podcasts about the following topics:

* UNC Charlotte’s Bioinformatics program
* Developments in gaming software
* Overview of diversity initiatives focused on the I.T. industry
* Introduction to the Regional Visualization Center
* Profile of the Department of Software and information System’s cyber security capabilities, including its Cyber Defender national champion team.

To listen to or download UNC Charlotte College of Information Technology podcasts, go to http://www.coit.uncc.edu/coit_new/podcast/index.cfm. The programs are also available through iTunes Music Store individually and through a free subscription that will send you current and subsequent podcasts via e-mail.