EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF USING PODCASTS IN SUPPORTING DISTANCE EDUCATION STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

Over the years, audio has been used in distance education to create a presence of a lecturer in the learning environment. These audio technologies were used for the purposes of complementing the existing print-based study material. This study seeks to explore how one of these audio technologies, podcasting was used to support distance students from the University of South Africa who are enrolled in a research proposal writing course. Data was collected through observations, questionnaires and interviews. Six audio podcasts were made available to all students. The findings suggested that most students used mobile devises to download podcasts and the majority of them reported that podcasting enhanced interaction through providing guidance and assisted them to pace themselves through print-based material.