Private podcast technology developed by an Australian company – and key in the World Health Organisation's continuity of learning advice for schools – is being offered free to schools worldwide.
Podcast platform Whooshkaa's new technology, released last week, enables businesses, schools and groups to broadcast audio to specified listeners.
The technology uses any existing podcast app on any smartphone, but the audio is exclusively available to those granted access by the podcaster.
“We created this as an internal communications tool to inform and engage employees – particularly those working remotely,” said Whooshkaa Founder and CEO Robert Loewenthal. “But we can see it has enormous potential to support students and schools through this period of global upheaval.
“The WHO says academic podcasts are a key plank in continuity of learning plans. With this in mind, Whooshkaa will set up free Professional private podcast packages for schools from kindergarten to year 12, across Australia and right around the world.”
Last week, RØDE Microphones announced a donation of up to $2 million of podcasting equipment to public high schools in New South Wales.
Whooshkaa has teamed up with RØDE to provide all schools who take part in the initiative with free private podcast packages to distribute content to students.
RØDE Founder and Chairman Peter Freedman AM said using the RØDECaster Pro Podcast Production Studio and Whooshkaa technology will allow teachers and administrators to record podcasts to deliver entire lessons, allocate homework, explain course material or give daily updates to parents.
“You don't have to be an audio expert to use it, and in the case of a school closure it's an ideal way to give students access to educational content,” Freedman said.
Loewenthal said the private podcast technology had been developed as a business solution for increasingly remote workforces.
“Our business is podcasting,” he said. “We could see that leaders in business, research and many other professions wanted a way to update, engage and unite their teams – whether they're at a city desk, driving across a desert or in an airport lounge.
“This is streamlined and secure. A podcast can be recorded on your phone and uploaded at the press of a button. It then appears in the podcast library of your approved team members. If they leave your organisation or professional group, access disappears.”
The technology could also be used to send instant or daily audio updates to essential workers in fast-changing situations, Loewenthal said.
“One thing everyone has is a mobile phone. People may not have time to read emails, but they can listen to a spoken update on-the-go.
“There's nothing like audio to engage and inform,” he said. “We have to leverage that information channel.”
With leading epidemiologists such as the Harvard Center for Disease Dynamics' William Hanage warning that “everyone who can work from home should work from home,” Whooshkaa envisages secure podcasts being used to maximise productivity and drive business continuity.
Whooshkaa delivers hundreds of millions of podcast episodes, from true crime to business, sport and more. RØDE Microphones makes high-quality microphones and audio products that are designed and manufactured in Sydney, Australia and exported to 118 countries globally.
To apply for a free podcast hosting account visit www.whooshkaa.com/rode/