What is Portable Media Player

Audio and spoken word has always been an important component of teaching and learning in higher education. However this remained an ephemeral component given that it is rarely captured for later use. Digital audio production and distribution has given a new means for facilitating the capture and preservation of this learning component for reuse. This chapter reports the authors’ experience with the use of digital audio in teaching and learning in higher education. The use of podcasting as a means of delivering online recorded audio of classroom lectures to enhance the course materials is discussed. Podcast production as a means of learning by students is then highlighted. Finally, the use of audio discussion forums as a means of communication is presented. Results from student surveys and reflections of the authors on their experiences with digital audio usage in the classroom to illustrate its advantages and disadvantages are then presented.