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ALT Learning Technologist of the year : Team award 2009

European foundation for quality in e-learning Unique Award winner

The role of podcasting in effective curriculum renewal

Alejandro Armellini and Ming Nie

Aim

To report on a study of the contribution of podcasting to curriculum transformation at the University of Leicester

Context

• Two distance learning MSc programmes in Occupational Psychology (OP) in need of curriculum renewal

• 50 new students per year since 2000

• Podcasts are part of suite of changes

• Enabled by the JISC-funded DUCKLING project (Delivering University Curricula: Knowledge, Learning and INnovation Gains, www.le.ac.uk/duckling)

Challenges

• Learner engagement

• Flexibility for time-poor work-based learners

• Learner isolation

• Retention rates

Podcasts in curriculum deliveryPodcast

categoriesModule(s) the podcasts

were relevant to

No. of podcas

tsPurpose

Module overview

Personnel Selection and Assessment

2To provide an overview of the modules

Training and Development 1

Research methods

Research Methods in OP 11To explain key concepts and approaches associated with research design, data gathering and analysis in OP

Assignment

Personnel Selection and Assessment

4

To provide support and detailed guidance on module assignments

Psychology of Organising 4

Training and Development 3

The Individual at Work 4

Research Methods in OP 1

Dissertation Dissertation 17To offer a scaffold through the dissertation process

Feedback Dissertation 12To provide individual feedback and comments on draft dissertation chapters

To December 2009: 59 podcasts in OP; now >100

Planning toolSectio

n Purpose Key concepts Length Who

1

To highlight the importance of well-articulated research questions

Achievable? Researchable? Novelty or repeat? Too broad? Narrow enough?

3’ AS & KB

2To illustrate the need to explain the focus of the research

Why is it worth researching this? What contribution will this research make?

3’ AS

3

To highlight the need to demonstrate knowledge of existing literature

Literature reviewContextual factorsCreating, challenging extending

2’ KB

4 To recap Review of main points covered 1’ AS & KB

Data

• 2 VLE-based surveys (23 and 34 respondents respectively)

• 7 semi-structured interviews with distance learners

• Thematic analysis

Results (1)

Findings Key points

The learner experience

The human touch

• Personalisation, interaction, relationship-building

• Livening up the learning experience• Reduction in the isolation associated with

distance learning

Guidance, support and feedback

• Effective provision of feedback, guidance and support in different formats

• Additional opportunities for effective engagement

Flexibility and mobility

• Access to quality content through mobile devices

Results (2)

Innovation and sustainability

Design once, deliver often

• Reusability of resources, minimum adaptation• Low-cost, high-value innovation • Reduced online traffic on non-academic

matters • Better and more cost-effective use of tutors’

time

Findings Key points

Limitations

• VLE-related (pull vs push, absence of RSS)

• Lack of skill and awareness of the affordances of technology

• Sample size

• Timeframe & cohorts

Sustainability

• Concentric rings approach to sustainability and capacity building

Image by andrew.capshaw on Flickr

Challenges met? Attributable to the introduction of podcasts?

• Improving learner engagement with materials and with each other

• Enhancing flexibility for time-poor work-based learners

• Reducing learner isolation

• Improving retention rates

Conclusions (1)

• Enhanced learner experience:– added personalisation– quality content in a new format– increased curriculum flexibility– cost-effectiveness

• Low-cost, high-value: a sustainable and transferable approach

Conclusions (2)

Others across the university and beyond relate to research-based exemplars, adapt these ideas to their own courses, promote pedagogical innovation and build capacity.

Thank you

Nie, M., Armellini, A., Randall, R., Harrington, S. & Barklamb, K. (2010) The role of podcasting in effective curriculum renewal. ALT-J Research in Learning Technology, 18(2), pp. 105-118.