Podcasts intend to ‘enhance classroom setting’
February 11, 2009 by VIVIAN GIANG
Filed under News
Often, students around campus are attached to their iPods – but don’t assume they’re merely listening to their favorite jams.
The University has taken learning to a whole new level by adopting iTunes U, a free service allowing students to subscribe to and download multimedia files to their iPods, iPhones and personal computers.
Sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning and Enterprise Information Technology Services, iTunes U, which was adopted by the University in November 2008, allows students to subscribe to learning content for free through a user-friendly program available on Macs and PCs.
“The University began the podcasting service at about the same time we heard about it,” said Robert Ethier, instructional support specialist at EITS. “It began as a pilot – we wanted to explore.”
There are approximately 300 podcasts – recorded audio – available on iTunes U, including content on courses, lectures, library resources and special events on campus.
Kaye Sweetser, an assistant professor in public relations, contacted CTL for a technology solution when she became interested in podcasting.
The podcasts permit students to review class lectures so they can focus on the discussions in class and not so much on scribbling notes, Sweetser said. The podcasts can also assist students with disabilities.
Though the service makes learning accessible, some think it is meant to enhance the classroom setting, not substitute it. Sweetser said although she is willing to incorporate technology into her teaching style, she is not willing to alter her attendance policy.
“You shouldn’t use technology for its sake,” Sweetser said. “You should only use technology when it improves students’ experiences.”
According to David Noah, coordinator of emerging technology at CTL, there are three steps involved in making podcasts available to students – first, professors record lectures by using digital audio devices; then, files are sent and stored in a server hosted by the University System of Georgia and funded by the Board of Regents. Every college and school at the University has a spot on this server. Finally, the files are accessible through iTunes U.
The University is broadening its scopes into Podcast Capture, a program that turns lectures into videos and movies by incorporating screen and video capture. PowerPoints shown during class will be integrated with audio for a digital experience, Ethier said.
“I think podcasting challenges the traditional lecture modes,” Noah said. “It speaks to different learning styles – if there’s a movie, it speaks to visual learners.”
Podcast Capture is only offered through Mac computers now, but the University is researching ways to make it available on PCs as well, Noah said.
Students can access www.itunes.uga.edu for more information.
