An evaluation of the mobile usage of e-lecture podcasts

Abstract

Distributing recorded classroom lectures via podcasting for replay on mobile devices is gaining increasing popularity. However, few insights exist regarding the actual usage and usefulness of such files, especially in situations where high-quality recordings of those lectures are available for non-mobile replay as well. In this paper, we compare the results of two surveys done with local students who had access to podcasts as well as high-quality files for replay on laptops and desktop PCs on the one hand and external users who just subscribed to the podcasts on the other hand. We compare the usage of the different versions, address the motivations of the two different user groups, and discuss general issues such as perception of the quality of the audio and video signals. Based on our observations we conclude that the added value of such "e-lecture podcasts" is mainly in its potential for mobile usage, whereas most of the other arguments given in favor of such an e-lecture delivery are rather due to the better visibility and "advertisement" of podcasts then justifiable by the technology involved.

Delivering unprecedented access to learning through podcasting as OER, but who's listening? A profile of the external iTunes U user

“…Therefore it is not surprising that less than 18% of the respondents who download OU resources from iTunes U do so because the materials are relevant to their studies. It also echoes the findings of Hürst, Welte & Jung (2007). Predictably, those respondents between ages 15-24 (the age bracket that most traditional university students fit into) have a bigger presence among those respondents who download because it is relevant to their studies than among those that download for personal or work reasons.…”

“…Is the iTunes U learner the same as the learners that took part in those studies? There is some evidence that the type of learner (either enrolled on a course or outside learner) has an effect on their use of podcast material, as found in (to this researcher's knowledge) the only paper available that compares 'internal' learners from a university with 'external' learners through iTunes U (Hürst, Welte & Jung, 2007). Hürst, Welte & Jung's research found that whereas internal learners fitted with the traditional university student age bracket, the age distribution of external users was more diverse, ranging from 17 to 53.…”

“…There was an expectation that iTunes U materials would appeal to older users (Hürst, Welte & Jung, 2007) and perhaps also retired people, who may have more time on their hands for learning. Indeed, few respondents were in the typical university student 19-24 age bracket or full-time students, but only a small number are over 65 or retired.…”

Mobile interaction techniques for interrelated videos

“…A recent study [3] found a shift in the usage habits of students towards using the mobile version of e-lectures. Fig.…”

Browsing E-Lecture Libraries on Mobile Devices: A Spatial Interaction Concept

“…A recent study [4] found a shift in the usage habits of students towards using the mobile version of e-lectures. The students used the mobile versions in different situations, e.g.…”