What is it?
BoilerCast started by using current digital audio delivery technology to deliver classroom audio recordings to students at their request. With new enhancements, and the use of iTunesU, faculty can now BoilerCast audio, video, images, and PDF files. These materials are often used as review or preparation of the day’s material for use on homework assignments, labs, and review before exams. BoilerCast is a service available to all credit courses held on the West Lafayette campus and is capable of recording lectures from over 70 classrooms on campus with no lead time, and any other campus classroom with sufficient notice.

One major benefit of BoilerCast automatic recordings is that once an instructor orders the service at the beginning of the semester, everything else is automatically handled. Instructors do not need to worry about recording a class or posting it to their website as this is all handled for them as part of the service. Instructors using Purdue’s central course management system, WebCT Vista, can integrate the service into their course materials by simply creating a link to the BoilerCast site.

How will it enhance learning in my classroom?
Listening to digital audio content won’t replace reading, attending lectures, or the multitude of other ways learners take in information, but it can augment those methods. Here are just a few of the ways in which podcasting can contribute to the learning process:

• Assist auditory learners and non-native speakers.
• Provide additional channel for material review: repeated listening and repetition of audio content.
• Convenience of portable digital content and reduced dependence on physical materials.

Where is it available?
Automated BoilerCast service is available in many classrooms and conference rooms. Listing of BoilerCast locations.

Instructors teaching in other classrooms can use BoilerCast, but will have to manage their own class content.

How do I get started?
Courses can be BoilerCast only if the instructor in charge of the course or their designated representative make the request. This request can be made by completing the online request form. The form requires career account authentication to confirm the identity and authority of the requestor.

Once the request form has been received, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to the requestor with information regarding access to the online audio files that can be used to create links on a course's main website.

Students with Disabilities:
If you have been approved for accommodations by the Disability Resource Center (DRC) and need accommodations in order to access a BoilerCast lecture, please contact Janie Fischbach (jfischbach@purdue.edu) in the DRC or Dean Brusnighan (dabrus@purdue.edu) in Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP).

Contact:
If you have questions or problems using BoilerCast, please contact the ITaP Customer Service Center at 494-4000 or by sending email to itap@purdue.edu.