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Podcasting

Defining, Valuing and Embedding

Chris Hull

Aims of the Session

• We will answer the following questions:

– What is a podcast?– What is its pedagogical value?– What pedagogical considerations are there?– Why embed podcasts?– How do I embed?

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What is a podcast?

• “Ipod broadcast”– Audio or video files posted on the internet– Listen or watch through PC or mp3 player– Subscribe to an ‘RSS feed’ (Really Simple

Syndication) using a ‘podcatcher’ software such as i-tunes

– Dock you mp3 player with PC to synchronise

What technology is required?

• Digital Voice Recorder

or

• Sound card, microphone and recording software (e.g. Audacity or Camtasia)

• Editing Software (e.g. Audacity or Camtasia)

• Host Website4

What is its pedagogical value?

• Podagogy!

• Supports learning activities

• Supports students with additional needs and cognitive abilities of diverse learners

• Offers a personalised learning experience

• Learning anywhere

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What pedagogical considerations are there?

• Passive approach to learning

• Audio-only can discriminate

• ‘Net Generation’, Tech savvy?

• ‘learning on the go’

• Significant support for ‘traditional’ lecture format

• Legal issues

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What pedagogical considerations are there?

• Select appropriate content

• Determine your instructional goal

• Design your Content

• Produce your podcast

• Incorporate the podcast into your course

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Why embed podcasts?

• Support online learning and to integrate with other e-learning activities

• To bring topical issues and informal content into the formal curriculum

• As extensions to Lectures: summaries, further reading and research

• To develop reflective and active learning skills

• To enhance student learning

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How do I embed?

• Student instruction on technology

• Lectures for review

• Short and focused podcasts

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How do I embed?

• Engage a dialogue and set clear learning objectives

• Student created content

• A series of episodes rather than a singular event

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Observations

• digital Native• training and guidance• overload• added value• traditional lecture• revision aid• technology is

personal

• view on PC• interactive narrative• appropriate length

• Undergraduate culture

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Reflection‘As with any educational technology, whether and how podcasting impacts the quality of the learning experience and/or educational outcomes depends largely upon how the technology is put to use.

Does podcasting enhance education? The answer to that question depends entirely on the educational context, including goals and appropriate learning activities, and on how the tool is implemented.

Podcasting does not contain any inherent value. It is only valuable inasmuch as it helps the instructor and students reach their educational goals, by facilitating thoughtful, engaging learning activities that are designed to work in support of those goals.’

References• Slide 3

– Wikipedia entry for Podcasting available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting– DURBRIDGE, N. (1984) Media in course design, No. 9, audio cassettes. The Role of

Technology in Distance Education. Kent, UK: Croom Helm– BATES, A. W. (1981) Radio: the forgotten medium? Studies in the use of radio

programming and audiocassettes in Open University courses. Papers on Broadcasting, No. 185. Milton Keynes: Institute of Educational Technology.

• Slide 5• Randy Meredith, Podagogy Blog available at http://blog.podagogy.com/

• Slide 6– Laing, C., Wootton, A. (2007) Using podcasts in higher education 60 (1) Health

Information on the Internet. Pages 7-9 available at http://hii.rsmjournals.com/cgi/reprint/60/1/7

• Slide 7– University of Wisconsin - five steps to teaching and learning with podcasting available

at http://engage.doit.wisc.edu/podcasting/teaching/index.html

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References• Slide 8 and 10

– Edirisingha, P., Salmon, G. (2007) Pedagogical Models for Podcasting in Higher Education. University of Leicester. Available at https://lra.le.ac.uk/bitstream/2381/405/3/EDEN%202007%20EdirisinghaSalmon%20Podcasting%20in%20HE%20paper.pdf

• Slide 9– Edirisingha, P., Salmon, G., & Fothergill J. (2006). Profcasting: A pilot study and a

model for integrating podcasts into online learning, Paper presented at the Fourth EDEN research workshop, Castelldefels, Spain, 25-28 October 2006) available at http://www2.le.ac.uk/projects/impala/presentations/Berlin/Pilot%20study/view

• Slide 11– Carnegie Mellon University,. A Teaching with Technology White Paper. Podcasting

(2007) available at http://www.educause.edu/sites/default/files/2007/07/CMU_Podcasting_Jun07.pdf

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