(170e) Podcasting In The Introductory Materials And Energy Balance Course

The influence of podcasting in an introductory materials and energy balance course was assessed. The course evaluated was a quarter-length class focused on steady state energy balances and transient mass and energy balances. The class consisted of 18 lectures, with weekly quizzes and homework sets, 1 midterm and 1 final. All lectures were posted on an internal website using audio-only podcasting technology. Course slides containing all lecture materials were also available on the internal site. Out of 50 students enrolled in the class, 44 chose to participate in the study (conducted under IRB exemption, granted by OSU IRB committee), and 13 (30%) reported using podcasts throughout the semester. The perceived impact of podcasts on learning, general interest in podcasting, and course attendence were correlated. Although not compared with a control, the availability of podcasts is not believed to have influenced course attendance with 1-2 students (2-4%) absent on average per class. Podcasting represents a new technology that may enhance learning by providing the ability for students to repeat lecture material that was unclear during initial presentation and also provides a mechanism for students to make-up missed classes.