What is a Podcast?
A "podcast" is a digital recording that once uploaded to a server and placed online can serve as a lecture or presentation. The roots of the podcast can be found within the independent music industry, but experienced an upswing in educational popularity beginning in 2004 (Cox and King, 2011, p. 34). According to Cox and King (2011), podcasts are created by recording on a computer through the use of portable digital audio recorders, edited, and posted on an internet site (p. 34). If a podcast is listened to without downloading the file, it is known as 'online streaming', but still requires the use of some kind of audio device (Cox et al, 2011, p. 35).
According to Cox et al, (2011), the podcast creates an opportunity to use an inexpensive, simple technology to enhance teaching and learning for our specific disciplines and classes (Cox et al, 2011, p. 34).
An example of a free podcasting service is Office Mix. Office Mix allows the user to create a presentation using Microsoft Power Point, and record lecture over the presentation. This creates a life like image, and makes the listener feel in touch with the presenter.
Example of Office Mix
Example of Office Mix (click on the link, and another link will appear.)
Pros of Podcasting
1. Podcasting is easy to do: In my experience, all you need is a recording device, or microphone on your computer, and you're ready to go.
2. Not easily searchable: As of 2012, podcasts are not easy to search for over the internet (Cornell, 2015, p. 1). They are not readily found by search engines.
3. Personable: As you record a podcast, you infuse your emotions, facial expressions and body language in to the podcast. This creates a more personal experience for the viewer.
4. Excellent way to create a permanent record of material for a class, such as a class review session
(see Office Mix link, above).
5. Tap in to the use of different learning skills: Provides a great way to assist struggling students, and provide a mechanism for review of difficult concepts (Cox et al, 2011, p. 36)
6. Lectures and presentations can be memorialized for people who missed the lecture or need to see it again.
7. Breaks down traditional instructional barriers: by allowing students to engage and respond to class material in private (Cox et al, 2011, p. 40).
8. Expert guest lecturers: (Cox et al, 2011, p. 40) provides an excellent way to have a guest appear to the class, especially if there is a distance barrier that may have presented the guest from appearing to the class in person.
I used Zoom for a guest lecture over the summer, by inviting a Chicago Police Department Area 3 Deputy Chief to visit my class for a guest lecture. The lecture was originally scheduled to last for 60 minutes, but went on for 2.5 hours. Luckily, I had scheduled a 3 hour block for the Zoom meeting. The guest lecture would not have happened were it not for the online live ability of Zoom. I consider this to have been a live lecture webcast/Podcast.
9. Multiple listening opportunities: listeners can listen to the podcast over and over, picking up on things that they may have missed the first time.
Cons of Podcasting
1. No redesign of the instruction or presentation: which does not allow the viewer to see anything other than the original podcast (Cox et al, 2011, p. 37).
2. Not easily searchable: As of 2012, podcasts are not easy to
search for over the internet (Cornell, 2015, p. 1). They are not readily
found by search engines. Because of this fact, unless you have a link for a podcast, you may not be able to listen to it.
3. While the software is relatively easy to use, the set up and practice takes a lot of time and energy for preparation.
4. Many podcasts may become outdated, and without some kind of update, lose their relevance for anything other than review of old, past concepts.
5. This may seem trivial, but the quality of the voice of the person making the podcast may not be suitable for a long recorded podcast. This may cause listeners to listen less effectively.
Sources
Cox, T. D. & King, K.P. (2011).
The professor's guide to taming technology. Charlitte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Cornell, S. (2015). Pros and cons of podcasting.
Small Business Chronicle. Retrieved from: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/pros-cons-podcasting-54405.html
