Podcasts for online learners
While podcasts can be helpful for both on-ground and online learners, I will focus on the online learner. Online students should have more resources available to them at their fingertips than perhaps on-ground learners, as they do not have the advantage of having an instructor physically present. By presenting material in several different formats, it gives online learners yet one more avenue of learning.
Podcasts have indeed revolutionized learning in the 21st century. For students unable to attend live sessions, or who, as you mentioned, would like to hear the session as often as possible, podcasts serve that need. How far we've come from my undergraduate days, when one needed to carry a micro recorder to a lecture in order to be able to hear the session over and over again!
I think I failed to mention that when I have used podcasts in my own sessions, my students' feedback was tremendous. They, too, appreciated the portability of lectures, chat sessions--essentially, audio course content. Some students shared with me how they'd listen to the podcasts during their commute to and from work; others appreciated an audio presentation of the material. It was a great way to put into practice the concept of MI (multiple intelligences) in as many ways as possible.
Laurel,
I was drawn to your post because of the word "podcasts". My school uses podcasts as a way for students who are on the go an avenue to review interactive course material from the virtual campus. I find this leaning dynamic really interesting since the majority of my schooling was all done in a traditional classroom. Wow - technology really has provided an edge to education today.
Another feature we have for our online learners is the capability to review as often as they wish the live class chats in a recorded format. This assists those students who cannot make the meeting time due to their various other responsibilities or class time conflicts. This also helps those students who don't catch on to the topic or subject right away and can review it as many times as they wish to absorb the lesson.
I have found during my post-graduate work I felt it was necessary for me to take course online if I planned on teaching courses online. I am so glad I did this because I can relate so much more to my students and understand the barriers that can stand in their way from time to time.
I also find that campus students who take online courses like them for their quick pace but also because they are able to seek out new resources available to them.
Carolyn
