Student Produced Podcasts: Survey results
HIS2049, Environmental History, School of Historical Studies
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, January 2008
Sample: 5 students (100% of class)
The exercise was
Harder: 3
Easier: 1
About the same: 1
Comment by one student: It was harder but more interesting.
The amount of planning needed was
More: 3
Less: 0
About the same: 2
How many hours were needed to complete the podcast recording?
<3: 0
3-6: 5
6-9: 0
9+: 0
The exercise has improved my ability to communicate results clearly
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
The exercise has increased my confidence in presentations
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
The exercise has improved my engagement and motivation for the subject
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
I would prefer to always present results in a conventional essay
Yes: 1
No: 2
Don’t mind: 2
I have improved my abilities in
- using new software
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
- technical aspects of computing
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
- group working skills
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
- oral communication
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
- written communication
Yes: 3
No: 1
Not sure: 1
- reflecting on the use of language
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
- listening skills
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
- environmental history
Yes: 5
No: 0
Not sure: 0
Anything else:
Can analyse other people’s work
If asked to present your podcast to other students, would you be
In favour: 4
Against: 0
Don’t mind: 1
The most interesting part of the exercise was:
Learning how to create a podcast, as it has made me appreciate the time and effort need to be put into even a short recording. Real effort is required to make a seemingly interesting written piece transfer well to a spoken recording, as the style in which a person writes does not often translate into speech successfully.
Recording, mixing and editing the final recording
Turning an essay into an interview style podcast, and watching the essay transform
Recording, editing, writing a script for the podcast.
Learning how to create a podcast and using a mac.
The most difficult part of the exercise was:
Recording the spoken pieces without mistakes or interruption!
Creating an academic script that flowed really and engaged the listener
The technical aspect of it; fiddling around with sound etc. on the computer, and re-writing the essay to make it appropriate for the podcast.
Presenting a clear podcast and not stuttering.
The constant re-editing and turning the essay into a script
Any other comments/suggestions?
Really interesting and stimulating exercise: for the group to really communicate and increased my enthusiasm for the topic.