Podcasting and revision...

Do you think that listening to podcasts could help your revision?

Have a read through this and tell us what you think. Do you have any ideas for Biology Podcasts?

"UWE students get podcasts on the brain
Issue date: 06/02/2007UWE students get podcasts on the brain.

Students studying Applied Biology and Psychology at the University of the West of England are reaping the benefits of their lecturer's innovative approach to teaching by downloading a series of lectures on the brain to their phones and iPods which they can then listen to whenever they choose.Dr Stephen Gomez, a lecturer in neurophysiology and neuroanatonomy has recorded many of his lectures and handouts onto a series of podcasts which students can download onto their phones, iPods, PDAs, laptops or computers. The podcasts, which are intended to reinforce rather than replace lectures, have won praise from students who appreciate the increased flexibility and new learning opportunities they offer. Many students say they listen to the podcasts at home, or when they are travelling to University on the bus.Podcasts are audio or video files which are published to the internet and allow users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files automatically. They are used by a wide cross section of people to share information, music and for example to download radio programmes.Dr Gomez explains, “Initially I produced audio files to accompany my printed handouts and students said they found these very useful. I have now developed video-podcasts which include diagrams and video clips so students can watch and listen to the material on their mobile phones. “The feedback so far has been excellent and students welcome the flexibility of being able to listen to the material when they choose. The audio format also helps people to reinforce and retain their learning - as well as being a very useful revision tool.” “Many universities are beginning to appreciate the value of podcasts in teaching and learning, though some people still see them as a gimmick. Some lecturers are simply recording their whole lectures as podcasts, but in my view this has limited value for students. “I believe I have found a way of making this new technology really benefit students.My podcasts are short (2-3 minutes) and can be strung together as a series to cover a whole subject area or rearranged for another context. I also discovered early on that by scripting my audio files before recording them this produces a better result for students. Students subscribe to my podcasts and whenever I produce a new one it becomes automatically available to the student. It goes without saying that students of the future will increasingly come to expect the flexibility which this technology offers.”Student Christopher Cross says, “I have found these podcasts very useful and a good learning tool. It was good to sit and listen to them while going through my notes from the lecture reinforcing my knowledge and adding things I missed.”Mikal Wade, a second year student, said, “I have been able to listen to some of the audio files and think they are amazing. It is such a brilliant idea and I hope that other lecturers follow your example at some point in the future.”Chloe Everall said “I just listened to the first 6 podcasts and I think they're really good. It's easier to remember stuff when its being read out and they work as quite a neat little summary, and its more entertaining than just reading so I'm more likely to go over the lecture material than I would have done with just a printed handout.”Dr Gomez says though he had technical help developing the project, there was very little cost involved and he used free software to produce the podcasts. He now wants to carry on with using the technology and will be talking to colleagues across the University to encourage other lecturers to follow his lead".