This is part of a regular series of articles exploring some of the terms used in e-learning (view other articles in the series). We’ll do our best to break down the jargon and explain what things are from a basic perspective.
Podcasts are a way of creating a series of audio files or other multimedia. If videos are used they are often called vodcasts instead. Many people refer to any audio file as a podcast, but a podcast is actually a series of audio files which normally create an RSS feed about its contents to allow devices such as iPods or other MP3 players to easily detect when another file in the series is released.
iPod Nano | Podcast (by acroamatic)
Audio files bring the human voice into content, though this can be a two-edged sword. A boring, monotone voice is as likely to turn off listeners as an enthusiastic, magnetic voice is likely to engage them. We recommend keeping your audio files short: entire lectures as audio files are difficult to listen to and hard to navigate. A series of short files will be easier for users to engage with. Some staff have gotten students to be the ones creating the audio files. This can be helpful for practicing presentations, language skills and reflection. It can also be more accessible for students with dyslexia and visual difficulties (though obviously inaccessible for hearing-impaired students).
Blackboard sites now have an easy way for staff members to add audio files, by using the Build->Audio option in content areas (see further instructions). If you want students to record their own audio files and upload them to Blackboard for the class to see, then that can be done inside of a wiki, blog, or discussion board, depending on how you want the class to share them. Students can also submit audio files directly to the lecturers for assessment purposes using the Assignment feature. Previously in Blackboard there was a tool called Podcast LX that allowed staff to create an actual podcast with an RSS feed from a series of audio files, but this feature is no longer available.
If you are creating audio files based on classroom discussions, please be aware that you should ask students’ permission before recording them, particularly where they are going to be shared outside the classroom. Be aware that some students may be more conscious of being recorded than others and it could lead to different behaviour, such as restrained conversation. Many students appreciate having a variety of resources, including media files, to enhance their learning experience.
Read more about podcasting and audio files in a briefing document which lists different possible educational uses (creating in 2007 so may be a little out of date) and in the Educause Learning Initiative’s 7 things you should know about Podcasting.
