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Worcester College of Technology

Year 1:Podcasting and vodcasting 2007/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Herefordshire and Worcestershire mobile learning project consortium investigated a variety of areas in vodcasting and podcasting using a range of methods. Each college in the consortium is identified by its research question. The research and data analysis for each college was carried out mainly by the lead researcher for each site.

Both learners and tutors involved in the project embraced mobile technology and the project increased awareness of mobile technology in the colleges involved. However, there are implications that the use of mobile technology is more effective with certain student groups and subject areas than others. Although there was an indication of improved retention and achievement on one site this cannot be attributed to the technology as there were a number of other variables. Factors influencing use of repositories were identified, with staff skills and development being a key factor.  

The MoLeNET project has led to some significant positive changes and improved practice in the colleges concerned and also recorded interesting unanticipated findings. Most of the sites plan to continue using the technology and embed their use in teaching and learning.

It has also raised the profile of mobile learning within the Herefordshire and Worcestershire areas and has seen the acceptance of mobile devices within teaching and learning. 

College and Project Background

The large Herefordshire and Worcestershire mobile learning project consortium planned to develop Podcasting and Vodcasting throughout the Herefordshire and Worcestershire region.  Each partner identified one learning group to use Vodcasting and at least 15 groups to use Podcasting.  All resources created were shared through a repository with all podcasts and vodcasts being made available to the wider learning and skills community at the end of the project. 

The project involved learners in colleges serving both rural and urban populations and a key objective was evaluating accessibility through the participation of the Royal National College for the Blind.

One of the main outputs of the project is the shared repository of Vod/Pod casts for both staff and students. Quite a lot of reports highlight the benefits of students and staff using this media and the consortium sought to verify these and to develop specialised resources for teaching and learning based on a set of e-learning interactive vod/pod cast. 

Note: a podcast is a series of audio or video digital media files distributed over the internet by syndicated download; a vodcast is online delivery of video on demand.

Project aims

• To trial vodcasting
• To embed podcasting across eight institutions
• To investigate the impact of providing learners with quality MP3 and video players, highlighting issues such as enjoyment of learning, motivation to learn, learner retention and achievement
• To investigate whether podcasting or vodcasting, have any differential impact comparing learners of different ages from rural or urban backgrounds, from different curriculum areas and at different levels of study
• To investigate the accessibility of vodcasting and podcasting for visually impaired learners
• To encourage the sharing of vodcasts and podcasts through a repository.

Key objectives

• To provide staff and learners with appropriate equipment for vodcasting
• To train one member of staff from each institution in the creation and distribution of vodcasts
• To provide staff and learners with appropriate advice and support on the best pedagogical  iPod casting
• To investigate by questionnaire and interviews, the impact of providing learners with high-quality MP3 players and mobile video devices 
• To compare the retention and achievement results of learners involved in the project.

Benefits for participants

Benefits for learners, across all learner groups

Learners gained:

• better use of their time
• mobile learning
• working with other students with MP3
• an approach they thought was really cool.

Benefits for staff

Staff gained:

• improving provision within the college strategic plans
• experience of mobile learning
• collaboration between other m-champions and staff in other colleges
• the study of mobile learning
• continuing professional development (CPD).

Benefits for the lead college

The lead college gained:

• working with other colleges
• development of vod and pod casting throughout the consortium.

Benefits for institutions taking part (partners and colleges)

The institutions gained:

• the knowledge that this type of delivery works
• lots of good content
• repository of podcasts
• repository of vodcasts
• CPD of ILT and improved quality of this provision.