Social Networking, Podcasting, and Social Networking, Podcasting, and New PartnershipsNew Partnerships Making Adult Education Effective, Engaging, and Exciting.Making Adult Education Effective, Engaging, and Exciting.

Naomi HirschNaomi HirschEnvironmental Health Sciences CenterEnvironmental Health Sciences CenterOregon State UniversityOregon State UniversityOctober 2007October 2007

Regarding Adult Education, Consider…Regarding Adult Education, Consider…

• • As of today, there are 108.7 million blogs and 175,000 new blogs As of today, there are 108.7 million blogs and 175,000 new blogs are being created every day.are being created every day.

• • More than 40% of the visitors to MySpace are between theMore than 40% of the visitors to MySpace are between the ages of 35-54.ages of 35-54. MySpace experienced a 158% increase in unique MySpace experienced a 158% increase in unique

visitors between Sept. ’05 and Sept. ’06.visitors between Sept. ’05 and Sept. ’06.

• • During 2006, the number of adults who had downloaded aDuring 2006, the number of adults who had downloaded a podcast grew more than 70% in 6 months alone.podcast grew more than 70% in 6 months alone.

• • A podcasting audience totaling 10 million in 2006 will byA podcasting audience totaling 10 million in 2006 will by many estimates grow to 55 million by 2011.many estimates grow to 55 million by 2011.

(Reference: eMarketer, as reported in Ad Age’s “Digital Marketing & Media Fact Pack,” April 23, 2007; PEW Internet Research)

Most Visited Health SitesMost Visited Health Sites

Source: Ad Age’s “Digital Marketing & Media Fact Pack”

Bring Our Topics to CommunitiesBring Our Topics to Communities

1. See what matters- What do “they” want?What do “they” want?

2. Build a difference- What can we offer them?- What can we offer them?- How? Give them a reason to - How? Give them a reason to come backcome back- With whom? Partner?- With whom? Partner?

3. Give it away- Consumer ownership- Platform for - Platform for conversations and conversations and feedbackfeedback(to you and with one (to you and with one another)another)

Relationships

Podcasting=Outreach ToolPodcasting=Outreach Tool

1.1. Teacher and student reflections and experiences Teacher and student reflections and experiences (example: (example:

www.hydroville.org/cafe)www.hydroville.org/cafe)

2.2. ““Professional Development on Demand 24/7” for Professional Development on Demand 24/7” for teachers and healthcare professionalsteachers and healthcare professionals(examples: (examples: teacherspodcast.org,teacherspodcast.org, wwww.medicalnewspodcasts.comww.medicalnewspodcasts.com//))

3.3. Opportunity for the public to build relationships with Opportunity for the public to build relationships with Center Investigators and researchCenter Investigators and research

4.4. Total Control - Interviews and topics that support Total Control - Interviews and topics that support outreach model and planoutreach model and plan

5.5. Opportunities to build new partnerships and reach new Opportunities to build new partnerships and reach new audiencesaudiences

Be Innovative. Be Creative.Be Innovative. Be Creative.

• Storytelling around the Storytelling around the impact of the researchimpact of the research

• Enhancing trainings for Enhancing trainings for students and professionalsstudents and professionals

• Marketing programs, Marketing programs, projects, and eventsprojects, and events

• Creating active learning Creating active learning -Getting people to ask -Getting people to ask questions and be curiousquestions and be curious

Podcasting provides an Podcasting provides an outlet for……outlet for……

Podcasting SuccessfullyPodcasting Successfully

• Good sound quality, frequent interesting content, Good sound quality, frequent interesting content, audience connection audience connection

• Create a long-term output plan Create a long-term output plan

• Track subscribers (Track subscribers (www.feedburner.comwww.feedburner.com))

• Use social media to market – iTunes, craigslist, etc.Use social media to market – iTunes, craigslist, etc.

• Seek, listen, and respond to feedback (publicly)Seek, listen, and respond to feedback (publicly)

• Partner – create short messages for other podcast Partner – create short messages for other podcast shows, share audiencesshows, share audiences

• Continuously make improvements (be a listener to Continuously make improvements (be a listener to other podcasts and rate them)other podcasts and rate them)

What really makes a podcast What really makes a podcast successful?successful?

One Question:Would you recommend this to a friend or

colleague? Rate 0 to 10.

9-10 Promoters 7-8 Passive0-6 Detractors

Hurdles, but not ObstaclesHurdles, but not Obstacles

• FEAR• Lack of knowledge of

podcasting (educate others)

• Hardware and software• Getting support at the

University• TIME!

You and your new partnerYou and your new partner

Focus on what is possible.