Grant funds classroom podcasting
Megan Villers, Jambar Contributor
Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: News
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Podcasting is the newest teaching and learning tool that professors across the country are using to supplement students' education.
Professors are able to use podcasting to transfer course material in several formats, from audio to audio with still images to video. Students can then subscribe to the podcasts, which are downloaded to iTunes or an iPod to listen to on their computer or any MP3 players.
Mohammad Jadun, instructional technology specialist at Youngstown State University, describes podcasting as an effective learning tool that appeals to auditory and slower learners and saves valuable class time. He discussed the three basic steps when setting up a podcast.
First, the professor must have a Web site to host the podcast, Jadun said. Next, the podcast must be recorded and saved as an MP3 file, then uploaded to the hosting Web site. Finally, a Really Simple Syndication feed is created to let students subscribe to it.
Jadun walks the faculty through these steps in one of his two-hour seminars that are held every semester. The computer lab only allows for five faculty members to attend. The sessions are on a first-come, first-served basis and fill up very quickly.
Once the professors have the podcast posted, the students' job is very simple: Install a free iTunes program on their computers and subscribe to the podcast feed.
"As soon as the students turn on the computer or hook up their iPods to the computer, the lectures, as well as any additional assignments or class cancellations, will automatically be downloaded and available for the student to access," Jadun explained.
However, Jadun warned that students should not view podcasts as a way to get out of going to class.
"Podcast[s] are more supplementary. They cannot substitute the lectures," Jadun cautioned.
Podcasts are ideal to show lectures from guest speakers who cannot come to the classroom, to help students who are slower learners and to facilitate self-paced learning.
Professors are able to use podcasting to transfer course material in several formats, from audio to audio with still images to video. Students can then subscribe to the podcasts, which are downloaded to iTunes or an iPod to listen to on their computer or any MP3 players.
Mohammad Jadun, instructional technology specialist at Youngstown State University, describes podcasting as an effective learning tool that appeals to auditory and slower learners and saves valuable class time. He discussed the three basic steps when setting up a podcast.
First, the professor must have a Web site to host the podcast, Jadun said. Next, the podcast must be recorded and saved as an MP3 file, then uploaded to the hosting Web site. Finally, a Really Simple Syndication feed is created to let students subscribe to it.
Jadun walks the faculty through these steps in one of his two-hour seminars that are held every semester. The computer lab only allows for five faculty members to attend. The sessions are on a first-come, first-served basis and fill up very quickly.
Once the professors have the podcast posted, the students' job is very simple: Install a free iTunes program on their computers and subscribe to the podcast feed.
"As soon as the students turn on the computer or hook up their iPods to the computer, the lectures, as well as any additional assignments or class cancellations, will automatically be downloaded and available for the student to access," Jadun explained.
However, Jadun warned that students should not view podcasts as a way to get out of going to class.
"Podcast[s] are more supplementary. They cannot substitute the lectures," Jadun cautioned.
Podcasts are ideal to show lectures from guest speakers who cannot come to the classroom, to help students who are slower learners and to facilitate self-paced learning.
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