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Source: englishwithatwist.com
The King and Cox (2011) text and additional research
primarily support the benefit of using audio video podcasting as an educational
tool in the classroom. Since the origination of podcasts in 2004, a majority of
podcasts are related to learning and education (King & Cox, 2011). This
increasing trend and use of podcasts in education is essential information for
current and future curriculum development in adult education. The pros of
utilizing audio video podcasts in the classroom far outweigh the negatives.
Some benefits of using podcasts are, “the ability to connect content and creativity;
to build assignments that generate deeper research analysis, and knowledge
construction; and to raise the bar for the next generation of scholars” (King
& Cox, 2011, p. 34). As an adult learner
myself, I firmly believe in the benefit of using podcast as an educational tool.
I like the idea of watching or listening to the podcast when my schedule allows
and as many times as necessary. Since I spend several hours each day in my car,
I also like the idea of listening to a podcast while driving or even at the gym
while walking on the treadmill. Podcasting may benefit online learners by integrating
students socially and academically into university life even though they may be
separated by geography (Lee & Chan, 2007).
Audio video podcasts have negative aspects as well. Higher
education views podcasting as equivalent to lecture webcasting which negates
creative discussion and critical thinking (King & Cox, 2011). For students
that attend live classroom lectures, participation be decline if podcasts of
lectures are made available (Scutter, Stuppens, Sawyer & King, 2010). Listening to podcasts might be considered anti-constructivist
theory which supports the notion that “learning takes place when a learner is actively
engaged in learning activities (Scutter, Stuppens, Sawyer & King, 2010, p.
182).
Source: www.scotsmall.com
I must admit that prior to this class, I was unfamiliar with
podcasts. Tonight while preparing my blog, I looked at the apps on my iphone
and noticed a podcast app. I spent a better part of the evening searching all
of the nutrition podcasts that were available and I ended up subscribing to six
of them. I am looking forward to my morning commute so that I can listen to the
podcasts that have already downloaded to my phone. I can see the benefit of
designing a nutrition podcast for my patients. I am looking forward to the
opportunities ahead!
References:
King, K., P., &
Cox, T.,D. (2011). The professor's guide to taming technology :
Leveraging digital media, web 2.0,
and more for learning. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Pub.
Lee, M., & Chan, A. (2007). Reducing the effects of isolation
and promoting inclusivity for distance learners through podcasting. Turkish
Online Journal of Distance Education-TOJDE, 8(1), 85-104.
Scutter, S., Stuppens, I., Sawyer, T., & King, S. (2010). How
do students use podcasts to support learning? Australasian Journal of
Educational Technology, 26(2), 180-191.
Great post. Wow. I liked the idea of designing a nutrition podcast for your patients. I hope it works for them. I agree with the benefits you described. I liked your quote from King and Cox “the ability to connect content and creativity; to build assignments that generate deeper research analysis” (p. 34). I think podcasts provide multiple options for the student or learner. They can review the podcast over and over especially for complex or lengthy material.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would argue that podcasts enhance discussion and critical thinking especially when students are assigned to develop a podcast that requires them to take a position on a controversial topic. Since the podcast will be shown to others, students have to take a position based on beliefs, sources, facts and assumptions and defend that position. I think this requires discussion and critical thinking.
You make a great argument that "podcasts enhance discussion and critical thinking especially when students are assigned to develop a podcast that requires them to take a position on a controversial topic". I hadn't thought of using podcasts in that manner but that would certainly increase critical thinking skills compared to solely listening to a podcast. Instructors can be creative when integrating podcasts in the curriculum by adding instructions that enhance the opportunity for critical thinking.
DeleteThank you for your thoughts!
I bet you both are referring to one of the creative uses of podcast in education covered in the textbook (p. 41) - position podcasts. Yes, it is a very creatively way of engaging students in the construction of their own learning and developing critical thinking skills. I'm thinking about adding it to the wiki project you have just completed for the course's next offering. Any comments or suggestions? Please share on Craig's blog (http://benkeedace765.blogspot.com/). Thanks!
DeleteWell crafted blog entry, Christine. Glad you put it to use already!
Kang
I did exactly the same thing you did. After I read the chapter on podcasts, I started looking through my phone and ipod apps at the different podcasts available. I really enjoy listening to them when I am walking or driving. The technology is a great learning tool.
ReplyDeleteI just completed a Myers-Briggs review at work this week. Preferring introversion and thinking functions, I am a decision maker who thoroughly thinks things through (Briggs-Myers & Briggs, 1985). After I am given information, I like to reflect on it and process it. I might even talk to someone else about what I discovered with this new information. In this instance, I would say there is critical thinking, evaluation and analysis. What do you think? How do you process the information you hear on your podcasts?
Briggs-Myers, I., & Briggs, K. (1985). Myers-Briggs type indicator (MBTI). Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press.
You make a great point. I agree that there are likely many ways to use podcasts that enhance critical thinking skills. King and COx (2011) compared podcasts to classroom lectures. As you mentioned, talking about podcasted information with others is a form of critical thinking and I couldn't agree more. The podcast alone does not necessarily provide an opportunity of critical thinking but adding additional activities such as discussion boards and blogging can enhance the learning experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts!
Nice post! You are absolutely correct that podcasts can be viewed as “lectures”; that’s actually what I think of when I think of podcasts just because the few I’ve listened to have been exactly that. But you’ve inspired me to do a little more browsing, and maybe I’ll try some different podcasts that I might enjoy. Thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteYour mention of nutrition podcasts brings up a thought that we’ve discussed in previous weeks regarding other media. How accurate is the information disseminated through podcasts, and are users critically analyzing the information they receive? Are there any safeguards in place? Shih-Hsien (2009) discusses the way blogs can foster reflection and improved information through comments and collaboration, but do podcasts have any mechanism, such as public comments, to improve their reliability?
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Shih-Hsien, Y. (2009). Using blogs to enhance critical reflection and community of practice. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 12(2), 11-n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.er.lib.k-state.edu/docview/1287038236?accountid=11789
Great question! As with blogs, consumers must use caution and consider the source. I used the search "nutrition" on the podcast app on my iPhone and hundreds of podcasts came up. As I scrolled through them, I realized that several of them appeared to have an agenda and weren't produced by credible sources. I suppose this arena of technology is no different than the web or television when it comes to false nutrition claims. As far as I can tell, there are no "safeguards" in place. If you can produce it, it can be posted to the internet for the world to see. We, as consumers must shop for information with a critical eye.
ReplyDeleteI decided to start searching medical centers, universities, etc. to find credible podcast reports. I keep trying to wrap my brain around some type of technology that will assist my patients with day to day support. Different disease states are very difficult for patients to understand and then we throw special diets in to complicate matters more. I believe that a reputable podcast, produced by a credentialed health professional would provide another way of providing education and support for patients and caregivers.
Thank you for your thoughts!
Christine;
ReplyDelete“You had me at watching and listening…” Your discussion of the value and use of podcasts and blogging and how it adds to learning is smart as it does provide about as many learning opportunities as the mind might be able to create. You called this technology use an educational tool as West and West (2009) refer to hen discussing how learning and meaning emerge (p. 101). Asynchronous learning discussed by King and Cox (2011) enhance learning by boosting connectedness (p. 52) and adding more relevance which does help learning. When you discussed watching and learning it made me think of the amount of whacky TV “one-liners” that I and most others have learned from watching TV.
I look at the development of The Learning Channel, History Channel, and how many times I have watched those shows and learned as they added context, but also how many of my colleagues took small parts of those shows or from movies to podcast to a class to add relevancy or to just get attention. So, watching and listing is something that I engage in.
K.P.King, & Cox, T. D. (2011) The professor’s guide to taming technology: Leveraging digital media, web 2.0, and more for learning. Charlotte. Information Age Publishing, Inc.
West, James & West, Margaret, L. (2009) Using Wikis for Online Collaboration: The Power of the Read-Write Web. Jossey-Bass. ISBN: 978-0-470-34333-3.