Developing a framework for managing the quality use of podcasts in open distance and e-learning environments

Abstract

The integration of podcasts in an open distance e-learning environment can play a crucial role in reducing transactional distance through providing quality educational opportunities and access to information through any digital devise. However, technology does not improve teaching, unless if there is a well-conceived educational process taking place. The question therefore is how lecturers can be guided towards the quality use of podcasts in order to achieve most of the learning objectives. Therefore, this paper aims to design and develop a framework that manages the quality use of podcasts for teaching and learning in ODeL environments. Using literature review, a developmental qualitative research design was used to develop a framework. McGarr’s (2009) and the revised Bloom’s taxonomy (Anderson et al., 2001) were used as domain specific guiders in the development of the framework. Results provided a framework to guide academic developers, learning technologists and course designers interested in quality in online environments.