Center seeks podcasting in classrooms
Michael Bou-Nacklie
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The Center for Instructional Services wants to make TCU more podcast-friendly in the classroom.
Jess Price, media producer for CIS, said he hopes to build a comprehensive database of recordings of events held on campus as well as information from classes. Berkley and Stanford universities already have podcasts available through iTunes, and Price hopes he can do the same for TCU.
"We want to use podcasting as a value-added component to what students are learning in the classroom," Price said. "It's like reading an extra chapter outside of class."
According to PC Magazine's Web site, podcasting is recording a non-music audio broadcast of news, sports or discussion in an MP3 format for playback in a digital music player.
Several instructors at TCU have used podcasting in their classes. Dave Upton, associate professor of kinesiology said he experienced a sharp grade increase when he replaced the lab component of his class with the podcasts recorded by CIS.
"Grades went from an average of 67 - which is not passing - to the high 80s," Price said.
Price believes the increase is because students could review the podcasts several times and see the procedures being done with a voice over by the professor.
Also, using podcasts allows the course to be offered more often because labs require space and supervision which limit the number of times labs can be scheduled, Price said. With the use of podcasts, students were able to complete the same amount of work without the constraints of lab time, Price said.
Amber Finn, director of speech communication, teaches an eight-week basic speech communication course which has 600 students enrolled. The class is divided into two lecture groups. The podcasts consist of pre-recorded lectures, however, certain elements of the course are discussed in greater detail during the class lectures, Finn said.
According to a poll conducted in Finn's class, 80 percent of students favored the use of podcasts, 15 percent disapproved and 5 percent undecided. Among those who disagreed, many believed podcasting would encourage procrastination and absenteeism.
Jess Price, media producer for CIS, said he hopes to build a comprehensive database of recordings of events held on campus as well as information from classes. Berkley and Stanford universities already have podcasts available through iTunes, and Price hopes he can do the same for TCU.
"We want to use podcasting as a value-added component to what students are learning in the classroom," Price said. "It's like reading an extra chapter outside of class."
According to PC Magazine's Web site, podcasting is recording a non-music audio broadcast of news, sports or discussion in an MP3 format for playback in a digital music player.
Several instructors at TCU have used podcasting in their classes. Dave Upton, associate professor of kinesiology said he experienced a sharp grade increase when he replaced the lab component of his class with the podcasts recorded by CIS.
"Grades went from an average of 67 - which is not passing - to the high 80s," Price said.
Price believes the increase is because students could review the podcasts several times and see the procedures being done with a voice over by the professor.
Also, using podcasts allows the course to be offered more often because labs require space and supervision which limit the number of times labs can be scheduled, Price said. With the use of podcasts, students were able to complete the same amount of work without the constraints of lab time, Price said.
Amber Finn, director of speech communication, teaches an eight-week basic speech communication course which has 600 students enrolled. The class is divided into two lecture groups. The podcasts consist of pre-recorded lectures, however, certain elements of the course are discussed in greater detail during the class lectures, Finn said.
According to a poll conducted in Finn's class, 80 percent of students favored the use of podcasts, 15 percent disapproved and 5 percent undecided. Among those who disagreed, many believed podcasting would encourage procrastination and absenteeism.
Be the first to comment on this story