AN MP3 A DAY KEEPS THE WORRIES AWAY: Exploring the use of podcasting to address preconceptions and alleviate pre-class anxiety amongst undergraduate information technology students

Abstract

Creating a productive and satisfying learning experience involves actively engaging students and having them take responsibility for their own learning. However, the anxiety students bring into the classroom, along with their preconceptions about subject content and other course-related matters, often works as an immediate impediment to effective learning, even prior to the commencement of a course or subject. This paper describes, with reference to relevant literature, the rationale and design of a pilot study involving an investigation into the application of podcasting to address these issues and foster “good practice in practice ” in university teaching and learning with first year information technology undergraduates. The authors believe that given the large uptake of portable music players, the use of a series of informal, talkback radio-style audio clips, delivered in a timely fashion through podcasting, can help alleviate some of the pre-class anxiety and allay student concerns about issues such as assessment, and do so more flexibly and effectively than the traditional methods of using subject websites and printed handouts.