Promoting Critical Thinking Through Student-Created Vodcasts

Christine NickelOld Dominion University & Regent University

Richard NickelOld Dominion University

How podcasts can be used• Distribute lectures• Supplemental material; information• Practice (learning languages; oral skills; music; dance)• Student-created work 1; collaboration• Guest lectures; interviews• Tours/field trips• Student presentations• Journals• Entertainment• http://epnweb.org

Research Literature• Mostly investigates instructor-created podcasts (lectures,

supplemental material)– Inconsistencies on effectiveness

• “Really neat IT does not equal student engagement and success” - Richard Katz

• Are collaborative constructivist pedagogies transforming higher education, or are emerging technologies supporting existing practices? (Garrison & Akyol, 2009)

Research Literature• A few studies on student-created podcasts– Better theoretical understanding, more effective practical

skills (Lazzari, 2009)

– Students felt empowered to think more creatively (Dale & Pymm, 2009)

– In-depth, engagement, collective problem solving (Lee, McLoughlin & Chan, 2006)

• Teaching practicum course• Art Education students• Varying level of technological savvy

ART 407

The Gordon Collection• Collection of 20th and 21st

century American folk art– 375 pieces, over 70 artists

Dr. Seuss Day

Steps to Making a Vodcast

1. Introducing Podcasting/Vodcasting

2. Choosing the artists

3. Writing the script

4. Answering, “Why are we doing this?”

• Learning with technology• Active Learning, Critical Thinking• Positive effects – motivation, engagement,

collaboration, creativity,critical thinking, enablingdifferent learning styles {

Why are we doing this?

Digital Storytelling

• http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/art.html • “Borders”

Steps to Making a Vodcast Continued

5. Creating the podcast– Getting images– Recording audio– Editing video and audio

Vodcast Example #1

Vodcast Example #2

Vodcast Example #3

Positive Outcomes & Issues

• Critical analysis of artwork• Educating students on copyright• Student engagement• Student attitudes• Editing issues

Future• Create a library of podcasts, lesson plans and activities

for the gallery• Collaborative vodcasting projects• Grant for ipods in the gallery• Better educate students on copyright issues• Research – likelihood of podcasting

use in future classroom, motivation, engagement, satisfaction, visitor use in gallery