How+Podcasts+Support+Engaging+Students+In+Learning+Activities


 * Editor Contributor**
 * By: Cailyn Chovanes**


 * How Podcasts Support Engaging Students in Learning Activities**

The original author in the article above states that podcasts assist with helping students who get easily distracted to focus and pay attention to a particular type of media. Finding certain students that forget their assigned tasks and log online to research something but find themselves in unfamiliar territory is something we all know too well. For years, researchers and teachers have been trying to find ways to help students engage in meaningful lessons without their mind wandering or veering off to look at something else popping up in front of their eyes. Downloading a podcast audio or visual has been shown to help with this distractability issue.

In the article "How podcasts support engaging students in learning activities" it is said that while podcasts should not be relied on for all teaching but can be fit in to a teachers lessons in meaningful and creative ways and should not be overlooked. When students are given an assignment that they have trouble focusing on, hearing someone talk them through it can help. We all know a human connection can make an impact but also remembering that “the importance of the human voice is bringing a more personal and informal touch to what is being said”. (Popova, 2010) I think this can be applied to homework situations most effectively. When a student is trying to do homework but finds themselves constantly distracted, they can log onto their podcast and hear that voice that they have some relate-ability to. Most importantly, “previous research has stated that audio has the educational ability to influence cognition through clarity of instructions, and to influence emotional aspects of learning by conveying immediacy and a connection with the teacher”. (Durbridge, 1984).

The table created here focuses on various podcast applications and pairing them with student centered learning activities. The table is detailed, clear, organized and overall a fantastic tool to use when incorporating podcast use with all types of lessons. Examples include everything from the standard lecture to feedback from assignments to preparing your materials for a particular activity. The table layout has the following categories written across the top: //Type of podcast, Content, Support for learning, Example from literature and practice and Conversational framework access.// There is a corresponding column underneath each category explaining how to apply. So for example underneath the // Type of podcast //column, you can find **feedback on assignments.** Next row is //Content// column, where you find **f****ormative feedback from instructor; suggestions; guidelines of assignment.** Then underneath the S//upport from learning// column it states **self reflection** as the result. It continues with various more examples.   In conclusion the table serves as a starting point and can be revised and expanded by other educators. Podcasts may also be used in combination with other social media technologies and for other types of learning challenges. The most important thing this article is stating is to remember the importance of the human voice and the meaningful connection it brings to a students learning and own engagement. When podcasts are used educationally and appropriately, the level of distracted behavior decreases due to the human voice interaction.    1. Durbridge, N. (1984). Media in Course Design, No. 9, audio cassettes. The Role of Technology is distant education. Kent, UK. Croom Helm.  2. Popova, Anguelina & Edirisingha, Palitha. //"How Can Podcasts Support in Engaging Students in Learning Activities"//. Procedia Social and Behavioral Science. (2010) @http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042810008566

