Can podcasts enhance/support your classroom instruction? What are the benefits and barriers?

Podcasts can definitely enhance/support classroom instruction. They provide a multi-media learning experience for students. Learners who are more apt to retain information visually receive support from the visuals provided (given that the podcast includes visual media) and students who learn best through listening are given information orally. It provides a different method of instruction where it is not necessarily the teacher standing and talking, even if it is the teachers voice, it is a change up in instruction. Even though the change may be minute, it can still be effective.


There are barriers. If the podcast does not provide any visuals you may lose the attention of students. If the audio is not interesting or engaging (monotone, droning, dull, just factafterfactafterfactafterfact...) all students will most likely tune right out. The podcasts need to be selected and used/created with the students in mind. 


I had a college professor who had to travel a lot during one semester. She was a great instructor and I was always motivated by her teaching to work extremely hard and to really think about my artistry. When she had to travel she created audio podcasts for our class so that we would not be behind in instruction. It was just audio recording and it was terrible. Her teaching went far beyond merely her words....what really motivated her students was the way her entire being radiated what she talked about and how she constantly physically modeled what she expressed verbally. With just her voice, and no visual, the effect was not there. She didn't even sound like herself. It was as if she created the recording while sitting perfectly still and had lost all passion for what she  talking about to us. The entire class' energy was so low during those podcast classes, and we all felt that it was much less enjoyable and much more difficult to get through the class sessions. It was a relief when she returned and the class resumed its normal level of drive and excitement. I think this is a perfect example of how podcasts can be a barrier...and really make students even dread coming to class. 


If the podcasts are created with the students in mind (what drives them, what interests them, how do they learn best...) then they will provide enrichment and enhance learning experiences, for sure. If the students are not the main consideration when creating or selecting podcasts, they will probably be more likely to hinder the learning experience.