Podcasting 101
New Technology Improves Classroom Learning

Imagine being able to hear a professor’s description of complex theories, concepts and definitions used in class at any time and any place. With the advent of the iPod and similar devices, students now can.

The same technology that is revolutionizing the music industry —allowing 400 CDs to fit on a pocket-sized gadget, complete wtih cover art and even a supporting video — is now starting to revolutionize the classroom at universities and colleges around the world and close to home at Wittenberg.

No more panic-in-the-night moments while studying. No more late-night calls to confirm this or that concept. Thanks to the available technology, classes and lectures have become portable with professors leading the way.

Associate Professor of Physics Dan Fleisch recently became the first professor on campus to take advantage of the technology. Fleisch regularly makes audio recordings for chapter reviews in his introductory astronomy course, as well as his 300-level physics course on waves for podcasting.

“I’ve given one exam since beginning the podcasting, and the scores on the concepts portion of that exam were measurably higher than the concepts scores on the previous exam,” he said. “Of course, it’s possible that the students simply found this material more understandable, but I suspect that the podcasts played a significant role for at least some of the students.”

The response from his students has been overwhelmingly positive as well.
“Each semester in astronomy, I ask the students to conduct a self-designed project, and at least six students are planning to present their results in podcast form this semester,” he said. “I plan to make those podcasts available through the Astronomy Club Web site, so visitors to Weaver Observatory will have a resource they can access before or after their visit.”

Although Wittenberg professors are not currently using podcasting video of their classes, another added bonus of the iPod technology, the Office of Admission is now using video podcasting to highlight some of Wittenberg’s faculty members. In so doing, prospective students will have the opportunity to engage with a faculty member in an innovative way and, hopefully, schedule a visit to campus as a result.

As part of the admission-driven initiative, Fleisch joined with phyics major Sean McKinniss ’06 to alert students to a planned physics-centered tour of the United Kingdom. Shortly thereafter, Steve Reynolds, professor of theatre and dance, and department chair, took Wittenberg Web visitors behind the scenes of the mainstage production of The Seagull on campus.

To view the admission podcasts, simply log on to www.wittenberg.edu and follow the featured link to podcasting.

— Robert Rafferty ’02