Podcasts and distance learning

Australia has a strong tradition of distance education due to its small and geographically dispersed population (Bell et al. 2002). The distance learning cohorts at Charles Sturt University (CSU)(www.csu.edu.au) represent 65 per cent of the university's enrolments. At the University of New England(UNE) (www.une.edu.au) 88 per cent study at a distance. The two universities accounted for nearly 30 per cent of Australia's university distance learning students throughout 2001-6 (Department of Education, Science and Training 2007). Like many tertiary education providers, our universities want to provide distance students with rich, interactive and effective learning experiences. Podcasting, as one technology among many emerging Web 2.0 and other technologies, is an increasingly important aspect of the learning experience at both institutions. First, we describe the rationale behind the use of podcasting to support distance learning. Second, we present the two case studies at our universities as a starting point for locating current initiatives involving podcasting in distance learning contexts. Third, we discuss themes drawn from the two cases, focusing on distance students' experience of podcasting, and considerations in introducing podcasting for them.