Title: Enhancing learning from lectures with epistemic primer podcasts activity - a pilot study

Authors: Anguelina Popova; Paul A. Kirschner; Richard Joiner

Addresses: Open Universiteit Nederland, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands ' Open Universiteit Nederland, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands ' Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK

Abstract: This study presents a pilot investigation using primer podcasts in a full-cycle epistemic activity, to prepare students for lectures in developmental psychology and support them make the most out of them. Since it is the first time podcasts are used in the course, students' appreciation of the podcasts and evaluation of their effectiveness on learning, are researched. The results show that such podcasts are experienced as motivational and beneficial for better understanding of the learning material, and that they stimulate students to engage in reflective activities. The study also demonstrates that students appreciate podcasts as part of a full-cycle epistemic activity which makes them reflect more deeply on the topics they study.

Keywords: audio; primer podcasts; epistemic activities; full-cycle epistemic activity; advance organisers; adjunct epistemic questions; learning effectiveness; reflection; developmental psychology; psychology education; lectures; student preparation; higher education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2014.067735

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2014 Vol.9 No.4, pp.323 - 337

Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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