Audio and video podcasts of lectures for campus‐based students: production and evaluation of student use

TLDR

Podcasting is increasingly used to deliver audio recordings of lectures to campus‑based students, making it a popular medium for accessing and assimilating information. This paper aims to describe a simple, cost‑effective method for producing video podcasts that combine lecture slides and audio without requiring specialist software. The authors implemented a pilot scheme that delivered supplementary lecture materials as audio and video podcasts, gathering data on download patterns and student survey responses. Students were enthusiastic about the podcasts, using them mainly for revision and assessment preparation, yet survey responses indicated little impact on lecture attendance and limited effectiveness for mobile learning.

Abstract

Podcasting has become a popular medium for accessing and assimilating information and podcasts are increasingly being used to deliver audio recordings of lectures to campus‐based students. This paper describes a simple, cost‐effective and file size‐efficient method for producing video podcasts combining lecture slides and audio without a requirement for any specialist software. The results from a pilot scheme delivering supplementary lecture materials as audio and video podcasts are also presented, including data on download patterns and responses to a survey of students on podcast use. These results reveal students' enthusiasm for podcast recordings of lecture materials and their primary use by students in revision and preparation for assessments. Survey responses also suggest little likely impact on lecture attendance as a consequence of podcasting, but indicate that podcast recordings of lectures may not be effective in facilitating mobile learning.