Monday, November 29, 2010
Podcasting "is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and oftendownloaded through web syndication. The word usurped webcast in common vernacular, due to rising popularity of the iPod and the innovation of web feeds". Podcasting and webcasting are used interchangeably just like Online and Distance Learning. When I think of Podcasting, I think of a person with a monotone voice providing information via a lecture. There are no pictures, music, games, or other interactive media to draw my attention to the information.
To me, I wonder what is the difference between podcast and listening to an AM informational radio program. The only differences I see is that Podcast is done on the Internet and you can listen to them at your convenience. Professors use podcast as an audio recording of lectures for those who missed class for various reasons. In the article by Cara Lane, UW podcasting: Evaluation of Year One, she did a survey of students who actively listened to Podcast over one year. She wanted to know did Podcast make a difference in student attendance to class as the information was recorded and was easily accessible. Basically, she found that the use of podcast played virtually no effect on students attendance to class. If students were going, they would so because they wanted to but if they did not want to go, they would not go with our with out the availability of a Podcast.
After I read this article, we were required to listen to a Podcast of any length in any subject. To me, I easily lost interest in what I was doing. I am a visual and a hands-on interactive learner. Since the podcast had neither, I played solitaire to keep my hands going and to have something to look at. While this was occurring, I lost interest in the information embedded in the Podcast as the speaker was not enthusiastic about the topic. Though he did have the words on the screen so there was something to look at, I felt as though I was reading faster than the speaker which once again caused me to lose focus on the information. I can see how some people use and prefer Podcast however this is not a learning tool for me.
References
1. Lane, Cara (2006). UW podcasting: Evaluation of Year One. Retrieved on June 25, 2010, from http://catalyst.washington.edu/research_development/papers/2006/podcasting_year1.pdf
2. Podcast. Wikipedia Foundation Inc. Retrieved December 4, 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast
Hi Elke,
ReplyDeleteI can't blame you for not liking the podcast that you heard, as many on the ones out there are poorly executed or badly prepared. We need to keep in mind that podacsting in itself have no immediate value for education. It is what the user bring that of vlaue. In other words, the way we integrate podcasting or coursecasting into the learning process is the most important element in the equation.
As Ashley Deal(2007) suggested, we might be better in using these tools as a supplement to the course rather of using them as a replacement of the course. I liked the idea that was expressed that when it comes to podcasting and similar technologies, need to find the right use that enhance the learning curve in students as in the heart murmur diagnose skills.
Also, to answer your question about the difference between AM and podcasting, I think the basic difference lies in the cost realted to each one. AM radio takes a lot of money to broadcast and maintain, while podcasting only require a recording device and an internet connection. Not to mention mobility and 24/7 availability.
Please give podcasting another chance and try one of these two podcasts:
- http://www.cbc.ca/wiretap/ (comedy)
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/podcasts/stuff-you-missed-in-history-class.rss (Edu)
Abdullah
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