Audio/Video Podcast: Pros and Cons for Adult Learners
I would like to start out with a short podcast on podcasting and
education and its advantages.
I am an instructor with a passion for literacy and technology integrations
to help improve educational advancements. Working with dyslexic children we recommend audiobooks as a resource for added
vocabulary exposure. “Podcast offer opportunities to introduce or reinforce
information from the classroom.” (Putman
& Kingsley, p. 101) By having students listen to books two to three reading
levels above their reading level gives them more exposure to vocabulary otherwise
they would not hear. Continuing with the advantages of the podcast if downloaded to
a MP3 player, computer, or smartphone the cast is available 24/7, not dependant
on wifi access. Classroom instructions can be listened to over and over again
not just limited to classroom notes. The convenience of not having to be in a classroom at a certain time or day the lecture is available at your availability. Another great tool that many dyslexic individuals will use is the Echo Smartpen
by Livescribe, this pen records audio while also taking video notes. The significant
advantage of this pen is that if you have a smartphone with Bluetooth capabilities
the notes and audio go directly to an app and can be shared. https://www.livescribe.com/site/livescribe-2/echo/
“Podcast created by teachers represent one such tool as they provide a method
to address the needs of the 21st-century learner through access to
educationally sound, class-related content like never before.” (Putman & Kingsley, p. 107) The greatest advantage of podcasting is the cost which is rather inexpensive for both instructor and student.
Podcasting does come with some disadvantages as well but is minor
and adaptable over time and exposure. The volume level of a podcast can be a problem if a microphone is not placed correctly or
the recording software is not utilized correctly. Background noises can become a
problem as well if you are not familiar on how to scrub out the noises. Your
podcast can become to lengthly, and your audience may lose interest in the topic. All
technology much be learned, and if the instructor is not familiar with how to use
podcasting then the effectiveness of the technology will not be used to it’s potential
and most likely be pushed aside. An educational concern with podcasting is how to judge educational acknowledgment of content with video/audio lectures.
Audacity is a popular platform used to create a podcast, so I
inserted a How-To YouTube Tutorial. It shows just how easy a podcast can be created.
References
Gray, C. (Producer). (2013, March 7). Podcasting in education: how a podcast can benefit your teaching. In The PodCast Host [Video podcast]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/nLnjWDS9nKw
Putman, S. M., & Kingsley, T. (). The atoms family: using podcasts to enhance the development of science vocabulary. The Reading Teacher, 63(2), 100-108. https://doi.org/10.1598/gt.63.2.1
Taylor, D. (Producer). (2015, March 8). Audacity: a complete tutorial guide to Audacity for beginners. In [Video podcast]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/aCisC3sHneM
LaDonnaFor,
ReplyDeleteI thought your comment about using podcasts/audiobooks to help with dyslexic students was a great point. I used to suggest getting audiobooks to go along with the text for my students who were struggling with difficult literature in school. There are some great productions available out there with different actors reading the different roles so it's almost like an audio-movie. Some students who really struggle with visual learning found that listening to the book while they read was very beneficial. Using tools like Audacity, teachers can create that audio material that may help out their students. I could even see in very technical classes where an instructor could create an audio file that helps students hear the pronunciations for long technical terms, especially in the science fields where the terms are all based in Greek and Latin.
I like your comment about using Audacity for scientific terms. Reminded me that my son is currently learning to speak Arabic and his professor uses Audacity for their weekly vocabulary. ELS would be another class I could see a benefit for audio/video learning in distant education.
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