The document discusses the use of podcasts in enhancing student learning at Edinburgh Napier University, highlighting their role in providing on-demand support, linking research to teaching, and aiding mobile learning. It details various applications of podcasting, including weekly updates, expert inputs, and feedback mechanisms aimed at improving student experiences. Overall, podcasts are presented as flexible educational tools that need to be used with pedagogical intent to be effective.

1. Using Podcasts to Enhance
Student Learning and Support
Colin Gray
Academic Development Adviser
& Associate Lecturer
Office of the Vice Principal (Academic)
November 2011

2. Why we used podcasts
• To offer “just in time” support /
teaching / advice
• To enhance research – teaching
linkages
• Enhance mobile learning
opportunity
• Help with revision
• Listening to podcasts can help
language skills for international
students

3. When we have used podcasting
• University/Programme level
– Student support
• Module level
– Weekly Updates
– Input from guest experts
– Feedback (audio files…)
– Delivery of lecturers

4. • A portfolio of podcast sites were
developed for students at Edinburgh
Napier following on from the success Welcome to
Edinburgh
Get ready for
Academic
University
of the pilot Edinburgh Napier Podcast Napier
University
study
writing
project funded by a Teaching Specific needs
Exam tips & Sports &
Fellowship Grant. study skills
& learning
support
Societies
• all new first year students:
Differences
Settling in
http://edinburghnapier.podbean.com/ between
college and Uni
What is a PDT?
socially
• all direct entrants from college:
http://college2uni.podbean.com/

5. Modular level podcasting:
Enhancing teaching-research linkages
Feedback from students Feedback from students
"After listening to this "I’ve found this
podcast I have been able Clinical
practice interview very
to relate the subject helpful to make it a
matter to my current
little bit more clear
studies as a third year
mental health student. Podcasts by
to me, why
Evidence based research
researchers on
clinical practice
Evidence-Based
is the very cornerstone in
issues, linking
research theory Practice it’s
and practice for
understanding, improvem student learning essential as nurses
ents in health care to Research
theory
Researchers
of nursing
and how it is
nursing practice in achieved."
benefiting people within
our care”.
References: SHEEC, (2010) Enhancement Themes: Research-Teaching Linkages, Enhancing Graduate Attributes. Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Available
at: http://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/themes/ResearchTeaching/default.asp
Vogt, M., Schaffner, B., Ribar, A., and Chavez, R., (2009) The Impact of podcasting on the learning and satisfaction of undergraduate nursing students. Nurse Education in
Practice. 10 (1) p38–42

6. Summary
• Podcasts can be a useful addition to your portfolio of teaching
approaches,
• Podcasts offer flexibility to students in terms of learning,
• The use of podcasting must be pedagogically informed
Additional Resources:
• Podcasting guide in LTA Resource bank http://staff.napier.ac.uk/LTA
• Case studies in LTA Resource Bank
http://www.thepodcasthost.com/ltapodcasts/

7. Your Mission
1 to 3 minute feature, plus a 10 to 20 second introduction script
•Watercooler Conversations •What’s going on out there?
•Chat around a topic of interest •eg. Places you’ve heard of using
podcasting
•News Bulletin
•Conferences
•Have you seen any recent publications
•The Student Voice or workshops on podcasting?
•eg. what will they think about
podcasting? •60 second interviews
•Interview someone around their
•Staff Views experience.
•eg. Likely pros and cons for staff
around podcasting