Investigating the use of podcasts in an open, distance and e-learning environment
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Date
2020
Authors
Makina, A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
In a world where the podcast stands out as one of the important support technologies for online learning, lecturers face great challenges in delivering podcasts qualitatively and productively. The introduction of technology into distance teaching and learning has often failed to meet the expected outcomes, and the educational landscape contains evidence of students who have been unable to benefit from this particular innovation (Dede, 2008). The increasing importance of the podcast as a support technology for online learning has led to intense discussions about how to preserve and enhance its use for all kinds of expected student knowledge. Therefore, this paper aimed to explore the types of podcasts that lecturers at an open, distance and e-learning (ODeL) institution use for teaching and learning. The focus was to explore the practices of the lecturers in the use of podcasts for teaching and learning in an ODeL institution.In a world where the podcast stands out as one of the important support technologies for online learning, lecturers face great challenges in delivering podcasts qualitatively and productively. The introduction of technology into distance teaching and learning has often failed to meet the expected outcomes, and the educational landscape contains evidence of students who have been unable to benefit from this particular innovation (Dede, 2008). The increasing importance of the podcast as a support technology for online learning has led to intense discussions about how to preserve and enhance its use for all kinds of expected student knowledge. Therefore, this paper aimed to explore the types of podcasts that lecturers at an open, distance and e-learning (ODeL) institution use for teaching and learning. The focus was to explore the practices of the lecturers in the use of podcasts for teaching and learning in an ODeL institution.
From 200 participants, a total of 431 podcast scripts (generated during staff development sessions) from different modules, departments and subjects at an ODeL institution were collected for data use. The number of podcasts per purpose or type was tallied and recorded in a table. Results provided readers with a snapshot of how an ODeL institution uses podcasts for teaching and learning, the gaps in the effective use of podcasts were discussed and recommendations were provided for a better and future use of podcasts for teaching and learning. The paper offers guidance to better utilisation of podcasts in ODeL environments in higher education institutions.
Description
Keywords
Higher education, Open distance and e-learning (ODeL), Quality, Podcasts, Support technology, Teaching and learning
Citation
Makina, A. (2020). Investigating the use of podcasts in an open, distance and e-learning environment. Perspectives in Education, 38(1), 30-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.18820/2519593X/pie.v38i1.3