Week 10 Activity 1 - Listen to a Podcast

Using the The Education Podcast Network, the home page suggests that its audience are educators or people who have an interest in sharing their knowledge, insight and passion for teaching and learning. I guess this could appeal to a much larger community with people who share a general interest in this field. I don’t think you have to be an educator just to benefit from playing the podcasts.

Could I imagine using the podcasts in for teaching or learning? Yes, I could see how learner could benefit from being able to download podcasts and play them on mobile devices. My first use could be to host consolidation training for procedural voice sequences such as commands to control ship conning manoeuvres. I think young trainees might be interested in listening to interviews with experienced sailors who have served many years at sea. Also for our training manager specialisation I believe interviews with professional people on the subjects of new educational and training innovations could be hugely beneficial. Finally, perhaps a podcast that guides a new joiner around an unfamiliar ship layout; describing and explaining various points of interest on route similar to the audio devices that museum uses as a self guide around artefacts.

My initial list of potential barriers for engagement with podcasts is:
a. Ability to listen -The immediately obvious barrier for pod casting would be the problem that the people hearing impairment might be disadvantaged dependant on the level of their disability.
b. Access in the work place - My concerns would be specific to the Defence IT environment where security limitations forbid USB access devices from connecting to MOD computer systems. The podcasts would need to be downloaded on learners own IT at home; some might not wish to do this or immediately have the ability to do this when a new podacst is available. Perhaps a specific standalone computer could be been approved for the single purpose of downloading podcasts but this limits where trainees can access the content.