February 18, 2009
Were faculty members justified in being concerned?
A recent study seems to indicate that students “who download a podcast lecture achieve substantially higher exam results than those who attend the lecture in person.” ((from New Scientist)) As the news article points out this doesn’t necessarily mean students can stop going to class or that professors are out of a job. There are a number of factors to consider with this study and with podcasts in general. I think this gives professors even more reason to make audio and video podcasts available to students. It provides students with another resource to reference as they are exploring a subject. It also allows faculty members the opportunity to provide more routine material in a podcast and spend the classtime to provide opportunities for active learning and open discussion.
