THE EFFECT OF PODCASTING

REVISION LECTURES ON THE STUDENT’S

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Authors: ME Rankapola & JS Dirane

Tshwane University of Technology, RSA

INTRODUCTION Blending of two words: iPod &

Broadcasting 2004 – Duke University introduced

podcasting Research in Podcasting: Acceptance,

Student’s Attitudes & Challenges. Gap Identified – Effect of Podcasting on

Academic Performance

THEORETICAL UNDERPINNING Situated Learning Theory informed this

study:That learning is not staticSo should the learning toolsThey need to move with the learnerLearning tools should fit the context

Philosophy of Epistemology:Objective reality exists and what is our

limits to it?

PROBLEM STATEMENT Observation:

Lecturers are not always available to assist students with revision lectures

Lectures are confined within formal learning contexts

Time constraints influence the quality of a lecture

OBJECTIVES Primary Objective:

To measure the effect of podcasting revision lectures on the students’ academic performance

Secondary Objectives:To provide constant student supportTo increase Student-Lecturer contact time

with minimal environmental constraintsTo provide students with sufficient time to

assimilate the learning content

METHOD Experiment:

Population = 540 Students Random Sample = 350 Students

Sample was divided into two groups: Control Group = 175 Students Experimental Group = 175 Students

Materials: Sennheiser wireless presentation set HP Laptop running Windows XP OS University’s LMS (MyTutor) Podcasts accessible on any computer connected

to internet – downloadable to a mp3/mp4 player

ANALYSIS & OUTCOMESControl Group Experimental

Group

Pre-Study Post-Study Pre-Study Post Study

Mean Score

47.44% 46.52% 49.22% 66.33%

Mode Score

45% 45% 47% 62%

SD 20.33 19.56 22.12 10.56

RECOMMENDATIONS & CONCLUSION 17.11% mean score indicated that the

experimental group benefited from the lecture podcasts.

A low SD of 10.56 showed that a few students scored a mark below a mean of 66.33% in comparison with a high SD of 19.56 and a mean of 46.52%.

Therefore, this study attested to the positive effect that podcasting revision lectures may have on learning and academic performance.

This study recommends that local universities should consider adopting podcasting technology as part of their blended learning approach to enhance learning and improve academic success

Thank You!