It’s been a while, but there’s a new project underway that I’m really excited to tell you about. It’s #HigherEdScope. Friend and colleague Jon Ernstberger (LaGrange College) contacted me earlier this year to propose a collaboration: live, “podcast”-like broadcasts using Periscope, with the two of us as co-hosts of a monthly topic. (Check out Jon’s Pushing Frontiers: #HigherEdScope post.)

When I think back on those early conversations I’m reminded of a quote attributed to Richard Branson:

“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity, but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!”

It was in that spirit that I joined the project. I hadn’t tried Periscope and I was just recording my first-ever videos for the Center for Online Education (with some anxiety), but … after some initial planning, I was all in!

Getting Started

So what have we done so far? The process has included numerous phone calls, Google chats, Google Doc revisions, and full rehearsal sessions. In July, Jon and I broadcast Episode 1, an introduction to the broadcast series, our background as co-hosts, and our goals for the project, which include:

• Sharing how we stretch the boundaries of technology, online learning, and social media in our higher education contexts
• Discussing current topics in edtech and higher ed (Jon and I were already doing this on a pretty regular basis, and now hope you’ll join in.)
• Increasing our own teaching and learning knowledge bases, and
• Trying something completely new for the sake of seeing how it will work out (see my living room/video studio pictured below).

My approach to all of this comes from my experience creating educational and informational web content, managing multiple social media accounts, and teaching online courses.

Jon’s perspective is similar, but he also brings experience from directing online programs at a higher education institution and developing faculty members in areas of technology and pedagogy. He’s also got the technical skills.

Check it Out!

We are off and running – you can view our individual co-host introductions and Episode 1 on the #HigherEdScope YouTube Channel. We’ll archive everything there. Episode 2 – 5 Things We Hate About Higher Ed, will take place on Tuesday, August 16^th at 12:30pm. Join us live via Periscope and follow @HigherEdScope on Twitter for more info and announcements. We’ll be broadcasting on the 3^rd Tuesdays of the month.