Symposium for Teaching and Learning with Technology

Greg Pierce in the Smeal College of Business reinforces concepts in his Finance 100 course by augmenting class meetings and textbook readings with podcasts and vodcasts (video podcasts). This allows students to review course material on an MP3 player or computer at any time or place.

Pierce said he decided to create podcasts of his lectures out of a “a sense that students are always on the go and could use supplemental material to enhance their learning.” In summer 2006, he signed up for the Podcasts at Penn State pilot (http://podcasts.psu.edu/) and easily learned to use ProfCast software, allowing him to record narration and synch it with his class PowerPoint slides to create “enhanced” podcasts. He posted his podcasts at Penn State on iTunes U (https://itunes.psu.edu/).

In this Podcast, Patrice Clemson shares her experiences with Vodcasting and working to integrate it on Campus. After some brainstorming, she came to the conclusion that she could target new students (and prospective students) via Vodcasts. From touring Campus dormitories, to using the Penn State ID Card, to learning how to pay tuition bills, it is clear that Vodcasting can be an effective way to reach and engage students. The recording can be accessed through iTunesU or directly through the file attached to this post.

Jeff Swain from Penn State's Education Technology Services interviews Patrice Clemson and Angela Fishman from the Penn State Beaver Campus. They discuss the Beaver Campus's vodcast series that orients students to campus life. You can watch this video through iTunesU or click the preview image below to watch the streaming version.

The first year of college is a significant experience for any student. Success in the first five weeks of college and the rest of that year can impact the quality of the student’s experience through his/her post-secondary academic career. University administration, faculty, staff, and upper division students have an ongoing interest in developing quality information for the new student cohort.