USA Funds-Supported Initiative to Deliver College-Preparatory Messages by Podcast

Receiving music, news and information electronically is the new wave of information sharing — especially among children and teens. The Lima/Allen County College Access Program, in collaboration with the University of Northwestern Ohio, plans to use this emerging technology to send students positive messages regarding postsecondary-education access, early awareness and the financial-aid process.

The organizations will produce podcasts to reinforce the value of a postsecondary education, and will deliver them to students in grades kindergarten through 12. Podcasts are video and or audio clips shared over the Internet.

“Podcasts are an innovative, fun way to reach students with a customized message regarding their postsecondary-education opportunities,” says Wendell Schick, director of financial aid at the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima. “Some students may have a fear of pursuing a higher education because no one in their family has attended college, while others may think they don’t need it or simply don’t want it. These podcasts are going to address the barriers a student may encounter and emphasize the necessity of higher education.”

USA Funds^® awarded a $150,000 grant to support the initiative.

David Hale of the University of Northwestern Ohio will create the content, write the scripts and oversee production of the podcasts. His team will develop a series of podcasts for three different levels. The grade levels will receive the following messages in formats most likely to appeal to the specific age groups:

• Grades kindergarten through four will receive animated messages to build self-esteem and introduce the necessity of higher education.
• Grades five through eight will see humorous messages that continue to build self-esteem and introduce postsecondary-education preparedness. The podcasts will focus on messages such as taking the right classes in high school.  
• Grades nine through 12 will receive music-based messages that encourage students to continue to challenge themselves academically. The podcasts will cover topics such as college applications and financial aid. UNOH also will produce an audio podcast that will serve as a tool for parents to help their children pursue postsecondary degrees.

“Effective early awareness begins very early for students,” says Schick. “We want to reach students early, through a medium they will be excited about, and continue the positive messages through their high-school career. These podcasts will teach students to dream, plan for the future, and give them the tools to successfully pursue a postsecondary education.” 

Students will have designated class time to view the podcasts. A GEAR UP adviser, trained on the podcast content, then will reinforce the messages. The podcasts will be ideal for viewing with an MP3 player, but also could be viewed over the computer.

The program will deliver its first podcasts in January, and a focus group of students and educators will supply feedback. Local senior-high, middle and elementary schools will serve as pilot sites for the program once adjustments are made based on the feedback. 

The Lima/Allen County College Access program hopes to provide iPods to the pilot schools. USA Funds will develop a Web site to host the podcasts.

“This is an innovative research and development initiative,” says Brian Allison, USA Funds director, technology initiatives. “By tapping into an emerging medium that is already popular with young people, we believe these podcasts can better connect students to the information and motivation they need to include college in their plans for the future.”