Creating Podcasts that Engage Learners and Enhance Learning

The challenges of the past few years continue to have an impact on students, instructors and institutions. However, the transformation of online instruction has turned challenges into opportunities. Instructors continue to use new pedagogical tools such as podcasting to enrich the learning experience. Patterson defines classroom podcasts as “a screen-free, movement-enabling, ear-stimulating and eye opening way to deliver content” (2021). To be sure, there are several benefits to podcasting including downloading the podcast on to a device and listened to offline, podcasts can reduce feelings of isolation and enable students to feel connected to their university community, and podcasts can assist students whose first language is not English (O’Reilly, 2021). The potential downside to podcasts are the inability for the student to ask questions immediately and the inability of the instructor to gauge understanding of the material by the student through non-verbal clues and indeed from questions. Podcasts can enhance learning by following Mayer’s theory of multimedia learning. According to Mayer’s theory, “meaningful learning outcomes depend on the cognitive activity of the learner during learning rather than on the learner’s behavioral activity during learning” (Mayer, 2001). This presentation will offer recommendations for creating podcasts that both engage the learner and ensure meaningful learning outcomes. Included in the interactive presentation will be tools, an example podcast, and the exploration of a free podcast creation website to get instructors started.

Lori Brooks
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ, USA

I have worked with adult learners for the past 20 years and although technology has changed quite a bit over that time, the goals of students have not. Students want an education that will give them confidence to pursue their dreams. Therefore, I am particularly interested in technology and pedagogy. I am currently a full time faculty member at the University of Phoenix facilitating undergraduate introductory courses. I also facilitate graduate courses in Education with a Technology focus. I hold a PhD in e-Learning Leadership and a Master of Science in Management.

Judy Drilling
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ, USA

I have worked in Education for the past 17 years and my passion is assisting students to succeed in meeting their educational goals. As an instructor, I strive to create a learning environment which encourages students to grow academically, professionally, and personally. I obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from California State University, Fresno in 1999. I began my professional career in teaching as an Independent Living Skills Instructor. In this position I provided education and training to at risk youth in the areas of home management, educational planning, health matters, employment, as well as interpersonal skills. I then went on to earn a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership in 2002 as well as a Certificate in Human Resources Management in 2004. I have been teaching online for University of Phoenix since 2008, teaching mostly Critical Thinking and Psychology of Learning classes. I also taught an Introduction to Psychology class at a local career college.

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