Introduction

Keeping students engaged in the classroom is not a new challenge for higher education faculty. Lectures, case studies, and slide presentations are often the primary mode for in-person instruction. The increase of online and remote teaching has caused faculty to rethink pedagogical practices and methods of delivery.

To explore effective online learning techniques, a study is being conducted at a small, liberal arts Catholic college in Massachusetts.  The study is focused on the effectiveness of various technology, specifically Podcasts, to teach, engage and motivate students to learn in a challenging environment.

Data are being collected from students who have used podcasts as part of their online learning curriculum.

Problem Statement

Are students more or less engaged in an all remote online teaching environment?  Do podcasts create a stimulating and interesting method of learning and mode of delivery?

Lecture recordings are the most popular form of podcasts but their use as supplementary or additional materials in the form of post-lecture summaries, interviews, discussions, and reminders are also found.

The podcasts used in this study are not recorded lectures. Instead, the podcasts are professionally produced, audio only podcasts where executives in various sport related fields were interviewed. A survey based on student self-assessment of the effectiveness of the podcasts, the relativity of the content is being conducted.