Presented at LILAC 2008

1. Podcasts: IL Delivery on Demand
Rebecca Mogg

2. Overview
 What is a podcast?
 Pedagogical benefits
 Education and IL podcasts
 “Student Survival Guide to Writing a Good
Essay”
 Considerations and tips

3. What is a podcast?
“Podcasts, digital audio programs
which can be subscribed to and
downloaded by listeners via RSS
(Really Simple Syndication), can
be accessed on a variety of
digital audio devices, including a
desktop computer.”
Kaplan-Leiserson (2005)

4. Pedagogical benefits
Learning ‘on demand’
 Listen anytime, anywhere
 Appeal to ‘net generation’ learners
 Benefit part-time / distance learners
Alternative method of enabling learning
 Supplement or reinforce teaching
 Embed within e-learning modules on VLEs
 Release time-specific information
 Tailor to specific audiences

5. Pedagogical benefits
 Inclusive and accessible
 Appeal to auditory learning styles
 Suit learners with visual impairments or dyslexia
 Reach large numbers of students
 Re-playable
 Aids understanding / memory
 Learn at own speed
 Benefits speakers of English as a second language

6. Podcasting in education
Lecture recordings
Supplementary information
 Summaries
 Updates
 Revision guides
Orientation and student support
Fieldwork
Student projects

7. Podcasting and IL
 Library tours
 Introductions to library services
 Resource guides
 Interviews with academic staff about library
services
 Complete IL series

8. Podcasting @ Cardiff
 Supplement face-to-
face IL delivery
 Complement ‘visual’
resources already
within the ILRB
 Signpost key services
and support available

9. Podcasting @ Cardiff
 Pilot project Nov 07-Jan 08
 Enlisted help of student
radio station – Xpress Radio
 Agreed a specification
 Commissioned expert
 Launched 8 Feb 08
 1100+ hits

10. “Student Survival Guide to Writing a
Good Essay”
Six short weekly episodes on:
 What makes a good essay?
 Quality control: information to use and avoid
 Going beyond the reading list: finding good web sites
 Going beyond the reading list: discovering books and journals
 Getting your references in order
 Meeting the deadline
Listen online or download at:
www.xpressradio.co.uk/survivalguide

12. Considerations
 Is audio the right method for your content?
 Who are your audience?
 Music
 Style
 Create your own or hire an expert
 Script vs. natural delivery
 Copyright and intellectual property
 Publicity

13. Top Five Tips
1. Keep each podcast short and simple
2. Vary voices and style
3. Focus on content not technology
4. Adopt a house-style / branding
5. Listen to other podcasts

14. Podcasts: IL Delivery on Demand
Rebecca Mogg