Improving Scientific Communication through the Use of U.S ......Apr 11, 2012  · Michelle Moorman,...

Improving Scientific Communication through the Use of U.S. Geological Survey Video Podcasts

Michelle Moorman, Douglas Harned, Gerard McMahon, and Kara Capelli

Science Illiteracy – who’s to blame?

The Objective/Subjective Divide

Science

Doing Communicating

Substance StyleOlson, 2009

Science

Doing Communicating

Substance StyleOlson, 2009

The Objective/Subjective Divide

Science

Doing Communicating

Substance StyleOlson, 2009

The Objective/Subjective Divide

Communication of Science

Research• Published Research Results

Summarize

• Podcasts, Circulars, Fact Sheets, Presentations

Advertise

• Social Media, News Articles, TV Interviews, Bookmarks, RSS news feeds

Communication of Science

Research• Published Research Results

Summarize

• Podcasts, Circulars, Fact Sheets, Presentations

Advertise

• Social Media, News Articles, TV Interviews, Bookmarks

Podcasts as a communication medium• Easy to use• Free and open source• Flexible• Dynamic• Good for auditory learners • Information can be automatically delivered

• Supplement traditional communication methods

What makes for a good podcast?

How did the podcast rate?

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How long should a video podcast be? How long was the longest video podcastthat you have watched?

Min

utes

Podcast Length

Podcast Elements

Podcast ElementsStyle Substance

Podcast ElementsStyle

Podcast ElementsSubstance

• Who’s our audience?• How will our message be disseminated?

arketing

Podcasts can be an effective medium for science communication if…

• They are simple and easy to understand with one straightforward take‐home message

• Keep the audience engaged by having good visuals and an engaging story 

• They are effectively marketed

Questions and Thoughts?Google: Video Podcasts GWS 2012

mmoorman@usgs.gov