What is Educasting?

Educasting, a project of Connexus Communications, greatly extends the life and reach of A World of Possibilities radio broadcasts and can do so with other audio and/or video productions. Following production of select A World of Possibilities radio programs, we “educast” them by re-editing the 55:00 programs into shorter clips with interactive problem-solving study guides and resources for further learning. Educasting materials can be formatted for podcasting, downloading and distance-learning as well as in “hard-copy” form.

Educasting packages  are then marketed and distributed to target audiences, including  faculty at educational institutions for use as curriculum enhancement, to NGOs and trainers in the field, to civic groups, public agencies, public and academic libraries, and other interested parties. Modifications can be made to adapt the content and materials to different kinds of users (e.g. business, academia, civic groups, social movements, etc). Aided by the study guides, educators will be able to use Educasting materials to provide students with accurate, engaging, and user-friendly supplements to their lectures and print materials. NGOs and civic groups will be encouraged to use the materials to build awareness and spur action among their memberships and audiences.

Educasting is designed to take advantage of low-cost mobile audio technologies like the iPod and make educational content available on a scale and with a rapidity not seen before at far lower production costs than video documentaries and/or producing new textbooks annually. As digital audio technologies proliferate, their use is expanding exponentially and their cost is dropping accordingly, making them readily adaptable for use in educational settings of all kinds. As such, it serves as an unparalleled educational and social marketing tool that can be delivered online and re-edited, augmented or changed as new information becomes available.

The Educasting package consists of some or all of the following elements:

• Audio component: Re-edited and re-produced A World of Possibilities radio shows for use as a long-term educational resource and social marketing tool. (Other audio and/or video shows can also be educast.)
• Visual component: CD inserts or sleeves tailored to specific audiences for marketing or instructional purposes
• Interactive study guide: Discussion questions and exercises along with  a select list of additional audio, print and video resources on the topics and projects featured in the audio series.
• Website (www.educasting.org): Features audio links, downloadable discussion materials, study guides, additional audio (full-length interviews, etc.), print and video resources, (research, white papers, essays, etc.), links to other organizations, and opportunities to engage in blogging and other online activities.
• Training component (optional): Online or printed guide for instructors or end-users suggesting best practices for getting the most out of the Educasting package.