Podcasts, Vodcasts, Blogs and Feeds: Podcasts, Vodcasts, Blogs and Feeds: Making best use of the modern technological menagerie Roger McDermott School.

Podcasts, Vodcasts, Blogs Podcasts, Vodcasts, Blogs and Feeds:and Feeds:

Making best use of the modern

technological menagerie Roger McDermott

School of ComputingThe Robert Gordon

UniversityAberdeen, UK

[email protected]

Gordon EcclestonSchool of ComputingThe Robert Gordon

UniversityAberdeen, UK

[email protected]

2Enhancement Themes Conference 2009

Plan of WorkshopPlan of Workshop

14.10 – 14.15: Welcome and Introduction 14.15 – 14.35: Description of RGU Computing

Experience Blogs Podcasts/Vodcasts

14.35 – 14.55: Small Group Discussion 14.55 – 15.10: Plenary Discussion and

Conclusion


Students were required to keep a personal blog detailing their learning journey throughout the year. Formed part of an e-portfolio of work which would

accompany the student throughout their course of study,

Formed the basis of further metacognitive activities in later years,

Tried to encourage a conversational approach to reflection on different types of narrative.

The project sought to develop framework for critical analysis and reflection

Activities also formed basis of the School’s PDP strategy aimed at enhancing employability.

Personal Reflective BlogPersonal Reflective Blog


The Theory… Students can articulate a personal learning narrative that

is provisional but still locally coherent. Promote interaction with feedback and commentary from

colleagues and tutors. Integrate personal reflective activity with social character

of blogging Can be used to enhance both autonomous and

collaborative aspects of learning.

Why Use Reflective Learning Blogs?Why Use Reflective Learning Blogs?


Choices to be made: Internal vs External Hosting Minimal vs Full-Blown implementation Staff-led vs Student-led Compulsory vs Voluntary Assessed vs Non-assessed Formal vs Informal Learning

ImplementationImplementation


The Student Blogging EnvironmentThe Student Blogging Environment






Blogs posts are often spontaneous and informal. This can work in opposition to the production of material which is useful for recording achievement.

At the same time, the imposition of too rigid a pedagogical structure can stifle those factors which promote the formation of social learning networks.

Some IssuesSome Issues


John Gray Award 2007-08John Gray Award 2007-08 Video Podcasting

a means of engaging the students and providing remediation

The goal of this project was to enhance the Student Learning Experience through the use of video podcasts, via the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle)


Target AudienceTarget Audience The project was directed at the Foundation Year students in the School of Computing

2 main types of video podcasts were envisaged Student led Staff production


Student vodcastStudent vodcast

The intention was the students would: give weekly feedback on their learning experience

showcase their achievements. It was envisaged that this would help develop their team skills and give them a chance to reflect on their learning experience.


Lecturer vodcastLecturer vodcast The aim of the lecturer production was to provide remediation and further enhancements of course material based on the issues raised by the students

It mainly consisted of showing how to use the features of the software (Netbeans, BlueJ and Visual Basic.Net)


Vodcasting equipmentVodcasting equipment Hardware

Video camera Tripod


Vodcasting equipment 2Vodcasting equipment 2 usb microphone Laptop


Vodcasting equipment 3Vodcasting equipment 3 Ipod touch and archos 605 (mp4 players)


Vodcasting equipment 4Vodcasting equipment 4 Software

Apple Mac iMovie 08 Apple iWork 08 (Keynote) Apple Garageband Final Cut Studio Express 3.5 (not really used)


Why VodcastingWhy Vodcasting “the use of ICT outside the classroom by students

and the impact of these activities on their learning

the capacity of iPods, that synchronise audiovisuals with an integrated learning content management system, to enhance student engagement

using iPods and vodcasting within an integrated learning content management system to embed innovative teaching practice.”

Source: iPods and Vodcasting for Learning at Heathmont College by Cecilie Murray


How to create a vodcastHow to create a vodcast Method 1

Use Garageband to insert pictures/powerpoints and add a voice over

then convert to the appropriate format Method 2

Take a video Edit it Then convert to the appropriate format


Vodcast linksVodcast links University of Missouri

Paper on podcasting Health and Medicine New approach to teaching Chemistry


Vodcast links 2Vodcast links 2 Apple and Netter’s Anatomy Flashcards National Institute of Health Vodcasts University of Ulster - conference topics Ipod to help students study Medical students to get ipods


The next steps?The next steps? iTunes U Dedicated vodcast server (already being put in place for

the School of Computing) Cross-faculty projects Supplying all students with their own ipod/mp4 player

with preloaded videos/ebooks/audio


Lessons learntLessons learnt Taking videos is much easier if you have a camera

person Editing videos takes some time and a lot of practice at

using the software Converting existing Powerpoints (using Keynote) and

adding sound in Garageband is a quick and easy way to create a “movie”


Lessons learnt 2Lessons learnt 2 Students tend to use their mp3/4 players for their own

personal use Most of the students just viewed the “videos” on their pc There are different formats for the various mp3/4 players

(screen resolution, file format) New generation phones may become the new format


FinallyFinally There are some other pieces of software that can make

the process a lot easier e.g. screen capture software and a script reader

A dedicated computer for video use would also be beneficial


Questions for DiscussionQuestions for Discussion

Do you think the use of Social Software/Web2.0 technologies in a Higher Educational setting is worthwhile or is it a case of just jumping on another bandwagon?

Can you think of a teaching scenario in which one of these new technologies could be used? What would be the benefits (to whom) and what would be the

disadvantages? What changes to the curriculum, if any, would be required to

make the implementation successful? What other factors would need to be in place?

Have you any experiences/expertise in this area that you would like to share with colleagues?

Podcasts, Vodcasts, Blogs and Feeds: Podcasts, Vodcasts, Blogs and Feeds: Making best use of the modern technological menagerie Roger McDermott School.

Documents

enhancement themes conference

vs student

student learning experience

conclusion slide

reflective learning

staff production slide

personal reflective

envisaged student