They Hear, but Do Not Listen: Retention for Podcasted Material in a Classroom Context

TLDR

The study compared retention of students who listened to podcasts versus those who read the primary source as text. Students’ preferences and study habits were assessed. Quiz scores showed that students who listened to podcasts performed worse than those who read the text, and their preference for podcasts shifted after the quiz, indicating podcasts are less effective than text for delivering primary content.

Abstract

This study examined the retention of students who listened to podcasts of a primary source to the retention of students who read the source as text. We also assessed students' preferences and study habits. Quiz scores revealed that the podcast group performed more poorly than did students who read the text. Although students initially preferred podcasts, their preferences changed immediately after the quiz. Podcasts might be a useful tool to supplement or enrich course-related material, but they are not as effective as text for delivering primary content.