more evidence that some students like their lectures being podcasted
In an earlier posting to this blog I identified that my research with engineering students on podcasting lectures was positively received by some students. (see http://www.mobile-learning.blog-city.com/podcasting_your_lectures__will_your_students_stay_or_will_th.htm )
Interestingly, another podcasting evaluation at the University of Bristol has found similar results. This was a cross disciplinary unit that focussed on Environmental Sustainability. I was not involved directly in the pilot (after initial discussions) but they did use some of the same evaluation questions. Please note the normal caveats hold about representative sample size etc.,
The findings suggests that not only did people watched the video podcasts (31 respondents watched at least one recording (n=44), while 18 respondents said that they watched the recordings throughout the taught part of the course. When asked why they watched them, then 19 responses included to make additional notes and act as a refresher, 6 responses included reference to revision and 10 responses included reference to catching up on missed lectures.
In terms of the impact on lecture attendance, then the response to knowing all the lectures are available on Blackboard, was 3 respondents said this did deter them from going while 35 respondents said it would not (n=43). When asked to explain these answers then there was a very similar response to other studies, i.e., lectures offered more structure, it is easier to concentrate in lectures that watching it through a computer, and podcasts didn't allow then to ask questions.