a sound idea

In my WBT class last year, I reported on a new trend–using iPods in Education. Since then, podcasting is hot! Colleges and universities are jumping on this new delivery format for audio learning, because new students are tuned in to the technology. K-12 also seems to have developed some interesting lesson plans.

But do podcasts have a place in workplace learning solutions? Does it make sense to consider adding podcast content to blended training designs for adult learners?

Check this out…
“A survey of 8,000 American consumers by pollsters CLX has revealed that podcasting is most popular with those over 45, with 21 % of those questioned listening to podcasts. This compares to just 13 % of 15 to 24-year olds.”

You don’t need an iPod or a portable music player to listen to a podcast. Any digital audio player - whether it’s an iPod or MP3 player or computer with audio-playing software - can play a podcast. When you have an iPod or other portable MP3 player, you can synchronise or copy a podcast to your portable player, then walk around town and listen.

So, suppose I get a subject matter expert to record some words of wisdom, and then place the audio file inside a learning management system? This introduces another learning channel, but it’s not a podcast.

A podcast is distinguished by its subscription model, which uses special software to distribute audio files via an aggregator. The content is "pulled" by the user, as opposed to "pushed" via email. Podcasting, then, requires a series of published audio files that are “syndicated” into a regular delivery feed.

For a workplace learning application, there needs to be a compelling case for potential learners to subscribe to an audio podcast and automatically download the content feed. Sound instructional design is the answer!