Over the past few years, the use of podcasting in education has increased quite steadily. The use of podcasting is an excellent way to supplement lesson plans and the overall learning experience. In 2004 for example, Duke University made headlines when they distributed 1,600 recorder-equipped ipods to their incoming freshamn and a handful of faculty. The students were then able to download leactures, songs, and historical speeches, as well as produce their own content. According to the University's findings, students reported that the ipods enhanced their learning experience, with 75 percent of freshman students using at least one ipod features for academic purposes. Faculty reported greater students engagement and interest in class discussions, field research, and independent projects incorporating ipod use.
Other examples of classroom use of podcasting - At Drexel University, a chemistry professor assigned archived lectures that the students could then listen to for homework, then using his class time to review problems and spend time on other atcivities. AT Winter Park High School in Florida, the Orchestra creates podcasts, including some with video, to distribute sound clips, news and information about their award winning music program. It certainly is exciting to see such creative and innovative ideas stem from these new technologies.
On the other side of the spectrum, there has been some concern about whether students will stop going to classes in which the professors post their lectures using podcasts. Why should they go to lectures when they are available on the web for them to listen to whenever they choose? Duke University's ipod experience study revealed that the faculty did not find that lecture attendance decreased significantly with recorded lectures. The University of Washington conducted a similar podcasting program and the results also noted a negligible impact of podcasting on class attendance.
My brother, who teaches earth science for the Souderton School District, uses podcasting on a regular basis with his students. He podcasts his daily lectures and classroom activities so that any student who may have been absent can then simply check out his podcast to see what they might have missed. I firmly believe that the use of podcasting will only increase in our classrooms and will definately benefit the learning experiences of our future students.
As with any of these tools, content creation is as important as content consumption. While we can consume content through recorded lectures, we can also create some amazing content by choosing what we record and sharing it with others.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the potential for decreased attendance at lectures --- why should I go to a lecture when I can get the exact same thing online - and listen anytime and anywhere? Just some thing to think about.