All you ever wanted to know about podcasting: an evidence based approach John Sandars Paul Arnold Senior Lecturer Lecturer in Medical Imaging / Academic lead for e-learning Medical Education Unit School of Healtcare

Podcast Defined combination of iPod and broadcast or, Program On Demand

Podcasting Defined Podcasting is a means of distributing audio and video programs via the Internet that lets users subscribe to a number of files, also known as a "feed" and then to hear or view the material at the time that they choose. A feed is usually in the MP3 audio format.

Podcasting Process Access Download episode Playback episode Subscribe - podcatcher Create Record episode Edit episode Distribute Web site / /CD ROM RSS feed

How are students using podcasts? Two surveys in Leeds Medical Students Literature Review by Sara Koo Experience in other areas of HE

How are students using podcasts? What do students want?

Survey – all first years in first term (n 213) Female142 (67%) Male 71 (33%) Mean 19 yrs (M=F) Thanks to Matt Homer, Godfrey Pell, Tom Crocker

SexSampleNumber (percent)Gender difference Do you own an MP3 / digital media player? Female (84) NS Male (83) Do you download podcasts? Female (9) Male p=0.007 Male (28) Do you create your own podcasts ? Female (2) NS Male 67 0 (0)

Student views – Medical Students

Student views

Podcasts and first year dental students – University of Michigan Main use to review lecture material Only 9% substitute for attending lectures Most downloaded podcasts close to exams (44 %), Only 26 % as soon as made available Mainly listened to at home (75 per cent) Only 9 % during commuting and 2 % at the gym 84% stated that podcasting was useful and a positive effect grades But 12.7 % no effect grades Brittian S, Glowacki P, Ittersum JV, Johnson L. Podcasting Lectures. Educase Quarterly, 2006; 3: 24-31

University of Washington 41 students on 4 courses Use by students 67 % liked opportunity to download podcast anytime after a lecture 81 % to catch up on missed classes 70 % used them to prepare for exams 50 % to clarify concepts 81 % listened to podcasts on computers at home 77 % no effect on attendance Lane C. Podcasting at the UW: An Evaluation of Current Use [Online]. 2006

University of Washington 41 students on 4 courses Most students - selective approach and search for an area of interest 54 % difficult to follow discussions Suggestions - lecturers repeat questions asked by students before answering lecturers refer to slide headings when giving their lectures Lane C. Podcasting at the UW: An Evaluation of Current Use [Online]. 2006

Any surprises ?

How can podcasts be used in teaching and learning?

Possible Benefits Appeals to auditory learners Mobility – take content anywhere Listen when it is convenient 24/7 availability Easy to review

Possible Uses To distribute mini or full lectures To provide short revision topics To interview interesting people

Possible Uses To distribute mini or full lectures To provide short revision topics To interview interesting people To engage students in projects

Possible Uses To distribute mini or full lectures To provide short revision topics To interview interesting people To engage students in projects To provide feedback to students

Finding and listening to podcasts

Finding podcasts Podcast Alley ( Digital Podcast ( BMJ / NEJM Dentistry Library at the University of Michigan (

Bloglines no software to download new podcasts show up to listen to

How can podcasts be made?

Getting Started Developer considerations create content deliver content incorporate into web site or blog Equipment needs computer with recording/editing software microphone web server space