Podcasting and Higher Education – How Finnish professionals reason
Björkroth, Peter (2022)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022120225774
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022120225774
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of the study was to get an understanding about how podcasting would fit in higher education in Finland, and what characteristics high-quality educational podcasts have. By ‘podcast’ in this study is understood audio files created by the instructor to support learning of the subject matter. Empirical data was collected with four semi-structured group interviews. The 14 Interviewees were gathered using snowball sampling. Two groups represented a higher education context and two a professional media/podcast – context.
The results bring forth that the positive aspects of podcasting make the medium suitable for use. The technology is available and not too complicated, it is relatively easy to create podcasts and freeing listeners (learners) from screens is a positive aspect. Using audio can create motivation and a more intimate experience than attending a lecture, thus enhancing learning. The media professionals emphasized the importance of the whole concept: the tone, the manuscript, adjusting for the target audience and that many podcasts are educational because listeners want to experience of a kind of “small movement in the brain” (quotation from interview). The professionals from an education context described different ways of using audio in higher education. Audio is used for giving feedback, for giving instructions and for explaining terminology for example. There was a general understanding that podcasts are welcomed in educational contexts for example to replace reading texts. Podcasts were seen to lighten up the course work and thus ensure that students pass courses, something that is important for the financing of the courses. The education professionals also introduced the idea of having students create podcasts as part of examination.
Future societal developments suggest that higher education will become more media dependent. The roles of instructors and media professionals will move towards each other. Formation of this common ground will be an area to study in the coming years.
The results bring forth that the positive aspects of podcasting make the medium suitable for use. The technology is available and not too complicated, it is relatively easy to create podcasts and freeing listeners (learners) from screens is a positive aspect. Using audio can create motivation and a more intimate experience than attending a lecture, thus enhancing learning. The media professionals emphasized the importance of the whole concept: the tone, the manuscript, adjusting for the target audience and that many podcasts are educational because listeners want to experience of a kind of “small movement in the brain” (quotation from interview). The professionals from an education context described different ways of using audio in higher education. Audio is used for giving feedback, for giving instructions and for explaining terminology for example. There was a general understanding that podcasts are welcomed in educational contexts for example to replace reading texts. Podcasts were seen to lighten up the course work and thus ensure that students pass courses, something that is important for the financing of the courses. The education professionals also introduced the idea of having students create podcasts as part of examination.
Future societal developments suggest that higher education will become more media dependent. The roles of instructors and media professionals will move towards each other. Formation of this common ground will be an area to study in the coming years.