In January 2008, the University of Chester, in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire, commenced the Podcasting for Pedagogic Purposes (PPP) Project. The six-month project, funded as an ‘extension project’ under the Higher Education Academy’s Pathfinder scheme, is designed to explore the prospects for establishing a self-sustaining PPP Special Interest Group (SIG).

To date, some initial investigatory work has been undertaken to obtain information on work on podcasting already underway in the UK higher education sector. Various initiatives have been identified and a database of practice and practitioners is being developed, supported by a project Wiki which can be accessed at http://podcastingforpp.pbwiki.com/.

If you have not already done so you can register your interest in this development by contacting Carol Comer, Project Manager ( c.comer@chester.ac.uk).

Examples of the use of podcasting to support academic practice, and to enhance student learning, are being showcased as part of the project. It is hoped that capacity building and ‘value added’ can be achieved by enabling practitioners to share practice which might otherwise have remained relatively hidden within departments and institutions.

A launch event was held in Chester on 27th February and was fully subscribed. At that meeting a full day’s programme, aimed at both ‘experienced’ and ‘novice’ practitioners, included some initial showcasing of podcasting practice, a session devoted to networking and discussion of practitioners’ needs, and discussion of the future events and activities. The report-back sessions also enabled participants to exchange views on the remit of the SIG and the terms of reference of the project Steering Group. A report of some of the key issues and themes which emerged on the day can also be accessed through the Wiki.

Participants were also invited to express interest in membership of the SIG Steering Group. The group met for the first time on 20th March and a second meeting is scheduled to take place prior to the next PPP event which will be held at the University of Hertfordshire on Thursday 17th April. This programme for this second event will include further opportunities to consider the uses of podcasting, and four workshop sessions are being planned. The workshops will address the following themes: curriculum design and effective podcasting; the technical side of podcasting; creating a podcast; and researching podcasting. Participants are all being invited to bring with them an ‘artefact’ to illustrate their use of or interest in podcasting. It is also hoped that an external speaker will be engaged to present on experiences of podcasting.

A third dissemination event is being scheduled to be held at Chester on 11th June.

Professor Jethro Newton
Project Director, PPP Special Interest Group Project

The inauguration meeting was held on 27th February at the Queen's Hotel in Chester.

You can see who attended and hear what was discussed at http://podcastingforpp.pbwiki.com/Inaugural+event