Lecher, Alanna L

English

Podcasts are audio-based shows distributed through the internet via apps and websites. Podcasts are typically thematic in nature, and several podcasts that regularly include science content have appeared over the last decade. These podcasts include Radiolab, Stuff You Should Know, Freakanomics Radio and StarTalk. As most podcasts consist of interviews or conversations between two or more scientists and reporters, they highlight the dynamic nature of science as multiple opinions on the same study or idea are presented. Such podcasts can be utilized by instructors to supplement lectures, assignments, and other activities in order to facilitate student learning in science courses. One method of integrating podcasts into science courses is by using podcast discussions. In these “podcast discussions” students are assigned to listen to a specific episode of a podcast outside of class, which is then discussed in class. Methods of podcast retrieval and facilitating a guided discussion about podcasts are explained, examples of guided podcast course materials are given, and descriptions of popular science podcasts provided

Lynn University: SPIRAL (Scholarly Publications, Institutional Repository and Archives at Lynn)

iPodA Method for Integrating Science Podcasts in the Undergraduate ClassroomAlanna L. LecherLynn Universityalecher@ lynn.eduWhat is a Podcast?A podcast is a radioshow distributed through websites or over apps, focused on a theme, with episodes released on a regular basis (e.g. every Wednesday).  Episodes can be streamed by the user or downloaded to devices for listening later.  Examples of podcasts containing science content are listed in Table 1.Podcast Episode ContentStuff You Should Know How the Scientific Method WorksScientific Method, Independent and DependentVariables, Control GroupRadiolab Colors Nature of Light, Biological Perception of ColorFreakanomics RadioHow Do We Really Know What Works in Healthcare?Randomized Control TrialsStarTalk Cosmic Queries- Climate Change Climate Change, Ocean CirculationTable 1: Podcasts containing science contentFigure 1: Example Discussion QuestionsOption #AIn Class DiscussionOption #BSupplemental Activity• Give students the discussion questions ahead of time (e.g. Figure 1) and instruct them to listen to the podcast and to try to answer the questions before the next class meeting• In class go through the questions one at a time asking students the prompted discussion questions• Embed the podcast discussion in a learning management system with an attached quiz that students must fill out as they listen to the podcast• Tell the students to listen to the podcast and complete the quiz outside of classTable 2: Methods of IntegrationChallenges• Second language students can struggle with the purely audio format. • Some students need incentive to listen to the podcast Additional ReadingsED44C-2488Evans, C (2008) The effectviness of m-learning in the form of podcast revision lectures in higher education. Computers and Education 50. 491-498Bolliger, D. U., Supanakorn, S., & Boggs, C. (2010) Impact of podcasting on student motivation in the online learning environment. Computers and Education 55. 714-722.

A Method for Integrating Science Podcasts in the Undergraduate Classroom

https://spiral.lynn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1550&amp;context=facpubs

A Method for Integrating Science Podcasts in the Undergraduate Classroom

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Lynn University: SPIRAL (Scholarly Publications, Institutional Repository and Archives at Lynn)