IMPALA Informal Mobile Podcasting and Learning Adaptation

Thames iWalk - Podcast to support fieldwork

Summary

The case study introduces an example of using podcasts to deliver location specific information and instruction in the field. The Thames iWalk podcast is developed by colleagues at School of Earth Sciences and Geography, Kinston University. A comprehensive discussion about this application and other approaches of using podcast to support fieldwork are included in a book chapter written by Downward et al (forthcoming). We strongly recommend you to read this short-version user-exemplar in combination with the book chapter.

Rationale

The concept of iWalk to support student learning in the field is simple: students are provided with a map, they follow a prescribed route with specified stops, they walk between the sites, stop where indicated to listen to and /or watch a description of the location.

A podcast-based iWalk has an advantage over the fieldwork guide because students can observe and listen to an audio narration simultaneously.

Application

Colleagues at Kingston University developed the River Thames iWalk for their incoming geography students during induction week to orientate them to the Kingston-upon-Thames environment. This iWalk guides students to nine sites located adjacent to the River Thames in Kingston upon Thames (see the Figure).

A podcast was produced in relation to each site that introduces students to a particular geographical theme. Each podcast is five minutes in duration. The podcasts were recorded in an interview style with the experts introducing and explaining the themes in the field. Background noises such as the sound of running water, crowds or bird songs were included to create atmosphere that enhances the listeners' imagination of the river environment (this is particularly valuable where the iWalk is not used in the field).

In addition to location-specific information, the iWalk podcasts can also deliver field instructions. For example, the lecturer can direct students to undertake a particular activity, such as to record particular phenomena at a given stop in the iWalk podcasts.

Reference

Downward, S., Livingstone, D., Lynch, K. and Mount, N. (forthcoming) Podcasts and locations, in G.Salmon and P.Edirisingha (eds), Podcasting for learning in universities. McGraw Hill.