I’ve just listened to a podcast by EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) on RSS/Podcast Basics. As well as covering the basics of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds and podcasting, it also briefly touched on podcast accessibility.
Podcasting can consist of either audio or audio and voice (video). Both Section 508 and the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) recommend that alternatives are available for auditory and visual content – e.g. a transcript for an audio podcast; captions and/or transcript (and possibly a description of the video, depending on its format) for a video podcast (this could take the form of a presentation with voice-over or an actual video).
Podcasts can be of particular value to people with visual disabilities or physical disabilities, and people who want to learn on the run, such as travelling into work on the bus, exercising, waiting for a train, etc. However, including a transcript of a podcast, particularly in the educational environment, will not just benefit people with hearing impairments but it can also benefit all students.
One example given in the EASI podcast was of lecturers making their lectures available as a podcast for students to download. The presenter suggested that students would probably only want to listen to a podcasted lecture once (or twice, if they had a high boredom threshold) and that, as in a normal lecture room situation, the student would make notes as they went along. However, if a transcript was provided of the podcast, the student could print it off (as well as listen to the podcast) and make notes in the margin. The transcript and annotations could easily be carried around and used as a useful revision resource at exam time.
Another problem is that it’s not always easy to find one’s way around a podcast – there are no headings or marker points (although maybe this will come in time) as in a large document – so the listener is forced listen to the podcast all the way through in order to find the relevant bits. Providing a transcript alongside the podcast allows for easy navigation, it can printed by a Braille machine, and allows for annotation by the student.
Although there are obviously the cost benefits of writing a transcript, providing an electronic resource in two different formats could greatly increase the value of that resource and will benefit a greater number of students.
i’ve used the castingwords http://castingwords.com/ service on a few occasions. reasonably cheap, and the quality of transcripts is not too bad (though, depending on the topic, use of jargon, etc, it will require a good round of proofing and re-marking up before being publishable).
I couldn’t agree with your premise more — unfortunately, in the minds of many content providers, providing a transcript defeats the legitimacy of producing a podcast in the first place, and for many of the reasons you cite.
If a printed version offers quick view access, portability, flexibility and can be formatted/designed to increase comprehension/usability, then why go to the trouble and expense of recording a podcast? (For many, it’s solely to appear to be “cutting-edge.”)
The challenge is to determine the value that an audio podcast provides over (or at least on par with) a printed document, then working to maximize that advantage.
http://pwdoncaster.blogspot.com
Paul, I agree with your statement about working to maximise the advantages of an audio podcast. A podcast can be a lot more portable than a sheet of paper – and for lifelong learners, who have to juggle work, family and study, it’s an anytime, anywhere means of learning whilst doing something else.
Of course, podcasts are also beneficial from an accessibility point of view and can be useful for many students with disabilities (except for students with hearing impairments).
However, it’s not easy to navigate through a podcast, and may only be something a student would only listen to once or twice. If the podcast provides essential information to the student, then a transcript will allow the student to highlight, annote, and revisit the most relevant information. It is also vital for students with hearing impairments.
Perhaps, the value of a transcript depends on the reason for providing a podcast in the first place. An educational institution would probably cover the vast majority of student accessibility needs and learning styles by providing a podcast and transcript. A commercial company providing a podcasted interview with their CEO in order to appear “cutting-edge” may only have a limited audience and so may feel that a transcript is not necessary (but maybe that depends on whether they feel the CEO is saying anything of value!).
Perhaps people first need to think about why they are producing a podcast (and record it in an appropriate way to maximise its benefits) rather than some other format. However, if they do end up going down the podcasting route, then, for educational resources, I think they should include a transcript too.
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