Aug. 9, 2007
Contact: Rita Mitchell , University Relations
Chesteen claims statewide award in first podcasting tournament
MARTIN, Tenn. – University of Tennessee at Martin professor of political science, Dr. Richard Chesteen, recently won the faculty features category of a statewide podcasting tournament. His audio podcast was on the topic of “Baba O’riley...defining moments.”
In the spring, UT Martin joined universities across the state in the “Tennessee Sandbox Digital Media Tournament” (State Podcasting Tournament), sponsored by FED EX Institute, Apple, Echo Music and National Public Radio. Participating institutions included: UT Knoxville, UT Martin, UT Chattanooga, Tennessee State, East Tennessee State, University of Memphis and Tennessee Tech.
Faculty and students from all campuses competed in five categories (faculty course concepts, faculty features, service learning, student course concepts and student features). UT Martin selected winners in three of the five to advance to state competition. Campus winners were Dr. Philip Smartt, associate professor of natural resources management; Jordan Tinkle, communications spring graduate; and Dr. Chesteen. At the state level, the entries were judged by personnel from NPR.
Podcasts in the faculty features category were artistic in nature, storytelling and original writing and musical or dramatic performances. The merit was assessed primarily on the aesthetic experience for the listener.
Steve Holt, UT Martin Instructional Technology Center director, co-chaired the tournament in its first year. The Podcasting Tournament files were hosted this year by East Tennessee State University on its iTunesU site, but next year UT Martin will host on its iTunesU site.
“I hope to generate more interest in participation from our students and faculty in the next tournament,” said Holt.
The Tennessee Sandbox Podcasting Tournament has been nominated for a national award at the Campus Technology Conference slated this month in Washington, D.C.
###
