First blog

During the e-learning design subject all class mates are assigned to a specific learning tool to present to the class and a member of DOCS. My group is responsible for the presentation of podcasting and vodcasting. Before this assigned project i never actually considered podcasting and vodcasting in an educational context.

As soon as i was assigned to the project each member Googled the different companies which use podcasting and vodcasting in an educational context. The organisation that i decided to concentrate on is called Gemological Institute of America (GIA). GIA is an organisation that embraces e-learning facilities to better the knowledge and status of their employees.

My area of concentration was podcasting and the ways the company intergrates this to train and develop their stakeholders. GIA useses iTunesU to post their podcast of updates and learing material which can be uploaded via the internet and informed through RSS feeds. The advantages of using the podcast is that their employees and students are kept up to date with updates and changes in the company and course material, it is also convenient method of learning.

I actually reflected on what i learnt about podcasting and thought whether or not this would be an advantage to me in the workplace or at work. I personally would rather be taught through the classic face to face method. It is important to consider the audience that is being taught. If members prefer face to face methods then this should be a priority, although i guess it wont be a harm to provide the option of both.

Vodcasting will probably be more beneficial for me as i learn with pictures, and active movements. I believe both these devices are beneficial as it is an easy, cheap way of educating people especially those in rural areas.