Uses of Podcasts in Teaching

Background

The podcast is an audio-recorded file that can be connected to the audience through digital media devices, such as portable music players, computers, laptops, and smartphones (Evans, 2008; Kidd, 2012). Podcasts appeared in the early 2000s where Web 2.0 technologies rising and were practiced by some education professionals who noticed potential benefits of the medium for upgrading the education system (Drew, 2017). The podcast can be accessed by anyone from anywhere in the World. The use of digital media players, popularized by Apple’s iPod, iTunes, and Juice is adapting among high school students (Evans, 2008; Drew, 2017).

According to Evans (2008), students can earn more trust that podcasts are more effective pedagogical tools than their textbooks and they are more energy-saving than their notes in helping them to understand and memorize. This study indicates that they are more adapting to the learning pattern in the form of a podcast than a traditional lecture or textbook. In addition, this study also suggests that the use of podcasts has potential advantages for students in terms of time management regarding learning, revise, memorize and understanding the particular chapter (Evans, 2008). In Nepal, this technique is also implemented in higher education for open and distance learning of a few subject matters which mostly used information and technology. E.g. Nepal Open University.

Protocol for making Podcast

• Choose the topic

• Conduct research and organize your ideas

• Equipment selection for recoding podcast

• Recording Podcast

• Edit Podcast

• Submission for publishing podcast.

• Release of podcast 

Significance of Podcast in Education

• The podcast is downloadable to a mobile device, students can study learning materials anytime, anywhere with very little effort. E.g. Apple podcasts.

• Students can make themselves prepare a podcast regarding some particular content.

• Revision of the previous classes by using recorded podcasts.

• It will be easy for those who missed the classes.

• It enhances the consistency of the learning experience of the student.

• This technique will be helpful for those students who have mental and visual disabilities

Limitations of Podcast

• Accessibility for some audiences who are not reaching the internet.

• Finding and reaching podcasts in audiences will be difficult because so many podcasts available on google and iTunes.

• IP and copyright will be difficult to protect.

• Podcasts will be difficult for those who have disabilities in hearing

In conclusion, Podcasting provides an opportunity for educators to easily broadcast engaging audio content in the digital network and online platform where students can access it easily from anywhere. A podcast is an emerging innovating learning tool that has many potential impacts on education and upscales higher education services among adult learners.

References

Drew, C. (2017). Edutaining audio: An exploration of education podcast design possibilities. Educational Media International, 54(1), 48-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523987.2017.1324360.

Evans, C. (2008). The effectiveness of m-learning in the form of podcast revision lectures in higher education. Computers & Education, 50(2) 491-498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2007.09.016.

Kidd, W. (2012). Utilising podcasts for learning and teaching: a review and ways forward for e-Learning cultures. Management in Education, 26(2), 52-57. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0892020612438031.