By Daily Press staff iPods are not just expensive toys anymore — they also can be used as educational tools. So goes the thinking at Santa Monica College, where in its continuous effort to use a variety of teaching methods to improve students’ academic performance, officials have announced they are launching an educational podcasting pilot program, beginning July 3.
Targeting a group of about 25 incoming freshmen in SMC’s “Summer Bridge” program, the college will lend Apple iPods — funded by a federal grant — to the students for the six-week summer session. The students will be able to download video, audio, photos, graphics and text. The downloaded material is for homework, or supplemental assignments. They will not replace in-class instruction.
“We are excited about the potential of podcasting as a supplemental teaching tool,” said Jeff Shimizu, SMC vice president of academic affairs.“We will use this pilot program as a way to see whether this improves learning.”
In starting the pilot program, SMC follows in the path of a growing number of campuses nationwide using podcasting, including Stanford, UCLA and Duke University in North Carolina.
“Everyday, we all witness greater numbers of students listening to their iPods and mp3 players in between their classes,” said Al DeSalles, SMC’s media and graphic services manager. “We know they’re listening to songs but there’s really no good reason why it can’t be educational content. Our teachers and media development team can create compelling content that students can use to further their learning.”
At SMC, podcasting will be used in the remedial English and college orientation courses that the targeted group of students are taking as they make the transition into higher education. Students will be able to download their assignments onto their iPods using computers set up in the college’s media center.
Mira Pak, who will teach the English course hopes to use music videos, film clips and more to reinforce lessons on such issues as the depiction of minorities in the mass media. She also plans to have students produce their own videos as part of their assignments.
Counselor Jackie Seiden, who is teaching the college orientation course, is interested in having students watch, for example, portions of the hit TV show “The Office” to highlight ineffective ways of communication. She also hopes to have students produce video podcasts.
Targeted for the pilot program is a group of low-income students who are often underprepared for college.
“Most have the willingness and drive, but for whatever reason, they don’t yet have the skills needed to be successful in freshman college courses,” Pak said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 24, 2006. Read the original PDF.