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Introduction to Spark Podcasts video
Definition: Podcasting
According to the Wikipedia entry on Podcast,
"A podcast is a media file that is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on portable media players and personal computers.[1]Like 'radio', it can mean both the content and the method of syndication. The latter may also be termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster. The term "podcast" is derived from Apple's portable music player, the iPod. A pod refers to a container of some sort and the idea of broadcasting to a container or pod correctly describes the process of podcasting.[2] More about the name itself can be found in the History of podcasting article."
Though podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital audio formats by its ability to be downloaded automatically, using software capable of reading feed formats such as RSS or Atom.
Getting Help at Tufts
For information in getting started with podcasting at Tufts, contact:
David Grogan, Manager, Academic Technology
University Information Technology (UIT)
617-627-2859
david.grogan@tufts.edu
Reasons to Use It
Coursecasting
The simplest and most common use of podcasting is coursecasting which is the creation of lectures and class sessions for students to use for review, notetaking, and exam preparation. Audio recordings can be synched with PowerPoint presentations and/or organized into "chapters" based on main ideas covered in the lecture.
However, faculty can meet many different teaching and learning goals through the creation of podcasts or by having their students create podcasts:
Issues In Introduction to General Psychology
Dr. David B. Miller's course at the University of Connecticut uses podcasting in the following ways.
- Precasts are short, enhanced podcasts previewing material before each lecture.
- Discussioncasts are informal discussions with students on course material following each week's General Psychology lectures. Students who participate have the opportunity to ask questions for clarification, as well as expand on course material and discuss issues not necessarily covered in class.
- Postcasts are short topical podcasts created after some (but not all) lectures. They are re-explanations of concepts that might be important and/or detailed and, therefore, justify repeating.
Language Immersion
Strengthening listening, speaking and comprehension skills in foreign and ancient languages is a natural for podcasts:
Podcasting enables 24/7 foreign language study
MIT's Foreign Languages and Literatures (FL&L) section is "exploring ways to use podcasting and mobile media players." The common goal is to immerse students in hearing and speaking a foreign language as much as possible in the course of a semester.
16th c. Neo-Latin Colloquia
The Stoa Consortium for Electronic Publication in the Humanities whose projects "are often linked closely to materials and tools available from the Perseus Digital Library based at Tufts University" has created a variety of Latin podcasts. According to Ross Scaife, "Podcasts enable us to bring these Latin dialogues full circle, to reconnect with their original purposes."
Student Assignments
English 52B
A Swarthmore literature class has students post a 5-minute reading from a work on the syllabus with a 5-minute commentary on the passage. David Miller describes the use of podcasts in the class: "Podcasts are posted throughout the semester; each student does a pair. The students and the professor listen to the posted podcasts (usually 1-3) on the assigned reading before each class, then incorporate the podcasts' ideas into the class discussion. Teaches great close reading and commentary skills, and complements the traditional writing assignments that are also required work for the course."
Then and Now: World History Since 1500
Then and Now is a podcast project with a world history course at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. You can read his handout on creating podcasts for the course at http://www.tc.umn.edu/~arend011/PodcastSeriesHistory.pdf. Podcasts are used in the following ways:
- Lecture Review sessions primarily from the students' point-of-view.
- Course Overview welcoming students to the course and setting expectations that are sent to students via email before classes start.
- First Day Overview which provides more in-depth review of the course syllabus and course expectations posted the first day of the first week of class. It includes audio clips of past students talking about different elements of the course.
- Supplemental or enrichment learning opportunities that include interviews with experts and music from different world cultures.
- Major Exam Preparation podcasts that are posted three days before exams and that feature discussion on potential essay questions, identifying key workd, and exam preparation strategies.
Faculty Knowledge and Research
One way to share the expertise and knowledge of university faculty is through the creation of commentaries on important issues, their research and events.
Faculty from the University of Warwick have created a series of podcasts that focus on current affairs and topical issues of national/international interest. Examples include Professor Franco Cappuccio from Warwick Medical School talks about his recent research into the effects of cholesterol busting statins on blood pressure or Professor Jonathan Bate discusses editing a new edition of the Complete Works of Shakespeare.
Expert Critical Analysis
Noir Cast Podcasts
Shannon Clute, novelist and Richard Edwards, Assistant Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at Indiana University's School of Informatics in the Division of New Media are using podcasting for interdisciplinary analysis of a particular film noir, or neo-noir and interviews with noir authors.
Beth Harris and Steven Zucker teach art history at the Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, and provide students with access to enhanced podcasts they have created of works of art.
Guest Speakers
Universities are now inviting the public to share in the experience of hearing guest speakers who visit their campuses discuss their experiences.
University of British Columbia Podcasts
Listen to the riveting story of a former child soldier Ishmael Beah, now a member of Human Rights Watch Children's Division Advisory Committee talk about his experiences or Noble Laureate Carl Weiner discussing how to use the tools of science to teach science.
Special Events
Universities are now sharing publicly the wealth of public and professional events and speakers that are hosted by their campuses.
Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Stanford Technology Ventures Program
Example: Ryan Phelan, Founder and CEO of DNA Direct, shares her thoughts based on her experience launching groundbreaking healthcare initiatives.
Freshman Orientation/Campus Tours
Universities know that many of their incoming students and their parents have iPods or MP3 players and are taking advantage of this by creating podcast tours that have students talking to students, as well as providing self-guided walking/driving Tours.
Freshmen Reveal Their Secrets: The Mansfield University Podcast http://www.higheredblogcon.com/index.php/freshmen-reveal-their-secrets-the-mansfield-university-podcast/
Georgia Tech Weekend Walking/Driving Tour http://www.visits.gatech.edu/weekend/
Resources for Learning More
Exploring podcasting as part of campus-based teaching
Steve Draper; University Of Glasgow, Joe Maguire; University Of Glasgow
This 2007 article in the Practice and Evidence of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (PESTLHE) online journal discusses the possibility of using the technologies associated with podcasting and MP3 players to augment campus based teaching. A study demonstrating its use in five courses, and eliciting favourable learner attitude responses, is briefly reported.
The 7 Things You Should Know About Podcasting
Podcasting Evaluation of Year One
During the 2005/6 academic year, several University of Washington groups collaborated to pilot the use of podcasting in 36 large-lecture courses on the Seattle campus. Catalyst researchers conducted student and instructor surveys to learn how podcasting was being used, to discover its strengths and weaknesses, and to identify the future potential of this new technology. This report presents the evaluation findings.
Arizona Sciences Library List of Medical Podcasts
