Best Practices

Podcasting can be used as an automated delivery mechanism of educational content straight to student computers. Below are a list of best practice in the use of podcasts for instruction.

Capture Lecture Audio – Providing a captured lecture archive to students allows them to review the discussed material on their own time. It enhances the learning experience by providing time-shift content. This allows students to listen and review the lecture on their own time, and through their own means (Computer, iPod, MP3 player, etc). Audio learners will benefit more from a recorded lecture than a transcription. The intimacy of voice communication is more meaningful than typed text. This archive allows the end user to use the archive in creative ways and even while multitasking. A morning jog can be creatively enhanced with a history lecture on an iPod.

Provide Lecture Material – Students will always be better prepared for lecture when they review the material ahead of time (Powerpoint, websites, PDF files, etc). This allows them to have a basic understanding of the material being discussed. Having the lecture material before and after the lecture gives students the opportunity to review the material as many times as they need to. When combined with an audio archive, students will have the best study tools for exams.

Create curriculum-related Media - Be creative with your application. Audio files can be used for language support, music support, guest lectures, announcements, record field notes, and lecture archives. Create short blurps when using it to podcast notices and reminders.

Provide a Content Rich Library - Podcasts allow students to have direct access to lecture material and create their own digital library consisting of course and campus-related material. Once students subscribe to the podcast, faculty or administrators have the power to disseminate content. Help students create a content-rich library, without abusing their attention span. Keep in mind that if students are bombarded with “optional” information, soon they will begin ignoring this distribution channel.