New Tech - "Bringing Classic Excellence to Fresh Technology"
Podcasting in Higher Education:
New Tech as requested by Professor Perry has engaged in research for consulting in the area the utilization for podcasting in the university and college setting.
Podcasting a term coined by British journalist Ben Hammersley, is the method of using the internet for the purpose of distributing of multimedia files. New Tech researched the topic examining the issues of podcasting in the areas of- History – Podcasting in Education – Podcasting in Business – Environmental Issues.
Podcasting uses RSS feeds standing for Really Simple Syndication, part of the success of podcasting being its simplicity. Utilizing an RSS feed having uploaded you podcast allows your listens to subscribe to you, thus when your listens connect to the internet the RSS feed automatically reaches out and snags your newest cast without the subscriber ever having to go to your web page. Just as newspapers delivered the days topics to our front door step, so podcasting for this age has come about to deliver fresh content for our daily endeavors.
The Issues Covered:
Within our research we looked the best ways for incorporating podcasting into higher education. One of the most innovative ways found was the use of podcasting EASL classes and for professors giving briefings. Even with the great possibilities in innovation there have been some concerns raised. One of the first questions raised has been the item of copyrights. With the idea of professors constantly posting podcasts for their classes the questions is one of proper distribution of the data. If podcasts are utilized measures would need to be taken to ensure that using podcasts, aids to the flow in information and not to the detriment of the integrity of the information.
Another malady with podcasting is the discriminatory expectation it makes upon students to have access to their own personal computer or laptop. While computer labs and libraries with PCs are sufficient for students working on temporary projects, podcasting, rather than being a useful tool to all students, sets itself up as a luxury only to students who can afford it. With the heavy financial pressures already mounted on the college/university student, podcasting allures the added expense of pricey MP3 players. These and many other financial considerations should be taken into account when evaluating podcasting as a viable tool. While creating the podcast itself is free, the means to archive and facilitate with ease is not
Recomendations for the Issue:
Teachers might also find this medium useful in providing supplemental lectures or tutorials for those who need them. Using this medium for additional instruction provides the student with the opportunity to gain the needed information without intimidation of approaching an instructor
With ease of accessibility of podcasting is expected to in large part embraced by teachers and students. The benefit to everyone in being less time consuming in preparation and reception makes podcasting a welcome addition to any teacher’s tool box of instruction. The variety of learning styles, even though widely, has not in large part had much difference upon teachings methods. Podcasting reaches its hand out to the all auditory learners, as promise to greater efficiency in learning over merely pouring over pages of text.
