How to use the new possibilities offered by the iPod Video? Have a look at SCAD on demand

Since the launch of the iPod Video about 3 weeks ago, a couple of announcements have been made about its possible academic uses in higher education.

But, what about the possibilities offered by the new portable RSS-enabled video device for admission offices?

Think about the popularity of the admission video in colleges and universities. On CD-ROM, DVD and even online, these have become part of the toolbox of many higher ed admission offices.

Now, what do you get if you combine the attractiveness of videos with the power of RSS subscription?

Probably an even more powerful and efficient recruitment tool.

Used by admission offices, video podcasts could actually provide some audiovisual bites of the real college experience while building strong long-term relationships with prospective students.

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) seems to have understood this very well as confirmed in a press release published two weeks ago:

“The Savannah College of Art and Design announced today the introduction of video podcasts on iTunes. Traditionally the college’s videos are available for viewing at www.scad.edu and www.scadondemand.com. With this year’s Savannah Film Festival, SCAD is introducing daily video podcasting on iTunes making film festival activities available to iTunes users everywhere

In addition to featuring Savannah Film Festival coverage daily via iTunes, SCAD also offers 12 free videos a month that explore living and creating art at the college, student profiles, stories on notable exhibitions and acclaimed visiting artists such as video artist Slater Bradley, indie rockers Wilco, painter David Ellis and fashion designer Tom Ford.”

While I was able to download the festival episodes in a snap (well almost, as they are about 60MB), the other admission-oriented 2-minute long videos could only be watched in iTunes on my computer due to a formatting issue. Hopefully, this problem will be fixed soon.

And, if SCAD keeps up with the planned pace of 12 videos a month, we will end up in a few months with a very nice case study of the possibilities offered to admission offices by the iPod video (and any other video RSS-enabled portable devices).

So, I guess you’d better stay tuned.