Podcasts give microbiology updates on tap

They say that what is on your iPod can reveal a lot about you as a person. Well, if you want to be seen as a consummate water professional, then scientists at the University of the West of England have just the thing – a podcast to teach water analysts up-to-the minute skills in microbiology.

Info on the go – new podcasts could give the latest skills in microbiology to water analysts.

The scientists, Dr Stephen Gomez, Karen Croker and Dr David Lush have won a bid with funding from HERDA (a South West Regional Development Agency) to develop bespoke learning materials which can be viewed as video pod files. The podcasts will offer higher skills training in microbiology for water analysts, based at the Science Centre of Wessex Water.

Karen Croker says, “In the field of microbiology, techniques and procedures are constantly evolving. As a university we are well placed to understand these new developments and we are also aware of the needs of employers and of scientists in the workplace. This project is a kind of You-tube for scientists - the podcasts are short in-depth presentations by academics giving the latest information on microbiological topics with demonstrations of new techniques.”

The UWE team will work closely with Pentachoron - a company formed by two students, who have developed an intelligent video pod delivery system, called CORE (Collaborative Online Resource for Education). Pentachoron will customise its software for Wessex Water so that CORE can track employee usage and allow users to customise their own homepage with individualised playlists of videos. CORE is password controlled so only Wessex Water’s employees will be able to access the learning material, ensuring the security of any sensitive training information about the company.

Emma Dykes, of Wessex Water says, “This project meets the needs of our employees to have access to further study in microbiology, in a way and at times which suit them. We feel this project will not only broaden and deepen the knowledge of our analysts, but it will also help Wessex Water meet the new benchmark standards set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate which will come into force in January 2008.”