HRD Producers and Podcasts

iPod Use
Since October 17, 2006 HRD has been posting podcasts at regular intervals. With 31 available podcasts in three different feeds (Administrators (n=2), Teachers (n=20), and PD Providers (n=9), the following table represents how 13 HRD members uploaded their iPod. The majority of HRD podcasts found on the iPod was less than 50%. Additional educational podcasts including John Merrow and Teacher News were also reported as current subscriptions.

Introductions/ Marketing
Twelve of the eighteen survey respondents replied with comments relating to multiple strategies to introduce/ market HRD podcasts. Of those reporting, 58% (n=7) promote podcasts while working with clients through the website, NESS Learning Communities or training events, 8% (n=1) communicate the HRD resource at a Zone Principal meeting, while 33% (n=4) have not yet introduced HRD podcasts to their clients.

These results only focus on HRD; next steps will include examining South Central Area Instructional Coaches.

Where do pods come from?

I was not surprised that by word of mouth received the highest percentage. I wonder if those who are recommending these podcasts learn from other friends too, or a different resource is being used.

If HRD is to produce podcasts as a resource, then how will HRD market the product? How will teacher, administrators, and professional development providers learn about our work? Since coaching is my AR focus, marketing podcasts only became important when the logic model was developed. What I learned today is the value of a quality podcast and the relationship you develop.

This afternoon I was emailed a note from one of the teachers I filmed for an HRD Podcast.
He states, “I just viewed the podcast!!!!! Awesome!!! It was so joyful! After having a great day and then viewing the podcast I don't know if my feet will ever touch the ground. Thanks for the thrill!”

Just one HRD Producer developing just one HRD Podcast, while having one genuinely touched teacher has quite possibly led to best marketing plan yet!.

Podcasts for Principals

Since the start of this study, the focus has been on teachers using podcasts as a coaching resource. I think that has changed.

Two weeks ago, Joy and I met Mickey Pope, a South Central Area (SCA) Director, to discuss the current NESS and Induction support of our schools. When the Induction Rubric was presented, the clouds parted, the skied opened, and Zeus’ almighty lightening bolt struck the South Central office. There was an Awakening! Finally, the bridge to teacher and leadership development was created. The value of Induction, site-based staff development, was greeted and expected of the SCA Leadership.

As a result of our meeting, we were invited to the SCA Principals meeting to present an overview of Induction. Mickey Pope opened the session with general comments regarding the value and importance of supporting teachers through Induction.

We shared the following information:
a) Induction Overview- provided information on what Induction Is Not, and what Induction Is
b) Induction Rubric- discussed the difference between the levels (Foundation, Application, Accomplished)
c) Induction Systems Database- shared a tool that utilizes the Induction Rubric and Induction Guiding Questions to assist in the development of a written Induction Plan (to move from Foundation to Application)
d) SCA Continuous Improvement Plan- shared our plan to support SCA schools as they move to the Application or Accomplished level of Induction.

The beauty is that Administrators will begin to receive Induction podcasts that support their effort to move from NESS to Induction. Today I was able to create a two-minute Induction enhanced podcast. Since the content was already developed as a power point, it took no more than 90 minutes to:
a) adjust the ppt screen size for garage band
b) save the ppt as jpeg images
c) import the ppt jpegs into iPhoto
d) create a new Garage Band podcast file, record and edit the “meat” of the slides
e) save as a m4a file
f) send to team for feedback and adjust as needed

Future podcasts will address areas of orientation, collaboration, and accountability. Already, SCA Leadership shared how to locate and subscribe to HRD’s Podcasts and today began the study of how Principals will use podcasts as a resource.