Case Study: Podcasts as part of a blended learning curriculum
Did you know that most people listen to podcasts in order to learn something new? This is certainly one of the reasons why audio sources such as podcasts have become a popular knowledge transfer tool among adults and kids alike. At Cynuria, we’re always looking for ways to design and deliver learning content that individuals are eager to consume. This is why - based on the popularity of podcasts and how effective audio learning can be - we often recommend including some form of audio learning as a relevant and timely method to include in your learning mix.
Short format podcasts are particularly effective when applied to learning programs designed for busy professionals who may not be able to complete several chapters of pre-course reading, but could make time to listen to a five-minute audio interview. This is why one of our most recent projects that focused on flipped classroom learning incorporated an audio component as a part of a broader blended learning program that also included a series of animated videos and job aids.
Working with the client, we started by identifying five key personnel across the organization: a training program manager, a subject matter expert, an instructor, and a participant who shared their experience about flipped classroom learning.
Each participant was coached through the recording experience using talking points and scripts, with a focus on capturing lessons learned, tips and tricks designed to inform other training managers, SMEs, instructors, and participants who might want to try using a flipped classroom teaching format or become involved in one.
With recordings complete, the audio files were made accessible through a virtual audio library. Providing a total of 43 minutes of learning time, the podcasts can now be accessed at any time by staff enrolled in the flipped classroom training program.
If you have questions about how to integrate podcasts into your blended learning curriculum or want to know more about flipped classroom learning, we are here for you.