The impact of podcasting on student lecture attendance

The University of KwaZulu-Natal has made a significant investment in state-of-the-art podcasting technology with a view to integrating this into its teaching and learning methodologies. Central to this integration will be the acceptance of this technology by both lecturers and students. While lecturer acceptance will always be the more difficult hurdle to surmount it is also necessary to gauge students´ awareness and acceptance of this technology. One of the reasons for the non-adoption of the technology has been the belief that this will lead to increased absenteeism. This paper reports on initial investigations into the use of podcasting as a learning tool at the University. The results suggest that podcasting will be a viable technological intervention into the University where students have the capability and the willingness to use the technology to enhance their learning. Students canvassed were clear that this technology will not cause to them miss classes.