Chemical Technology June 2015

5 / 40

Using podcasts
to achieve educational excellence
Comment
F or an individual to excel at chemical
engineering, both a good education and
personal determination are needed.
Chemical engineering education must be
built on a solid foundation in the fundamen-
tal principles of chemical engineering sci-
ence. However, there is a need to constantly
review and modernise not just our course
content, but the way we deliver it as well.
The at
the (UCT), South Africa,
has a research group dedicated to
. This group contributes to a wider
collaboration in the
(CREE).
At UCT, there is a passion to provide the
best possible foundation for young chemical
engineers. The research group’s main objec-
tive is to understand barriers to learning. By
understanding the factors that inhibit the
learning of key principles and the acquisition
of core skills, the education process can be
enhanced. Student retention, self-sufficiency
and integration all improve.
The way that students are taught today is
rather different from what I experienced as an
undergraduate. However, research into learn-
ing methods demonstrates that students still
consider lectures as an important part of the
education process.
Some of the research covered by UCT has
addressed the use of – these provide
additional information rather than a substitute
for lectures. The researchers found that when
podcasts were provided, more than half of
the students accessed them, and, contrary
what people might think there was no marked
decline in lecture attendance.
Feedback from UCT students indicated that
it was particularly useful for those learning in
their non-native language. The availability of
the podcasts throughout the academic year led
to an observed increase in downloads before
and during exam times – as one might expect!
The development of more effective educa-
tion for the next generation of scientists and
engineers is always challenging, but the educa-
tion development programme at UCT is striving
to improve teaching methods and promote
self-sufficiency of students. Taking ownership
of personal and professional development is
something to be encouraged throughout an
entire career.
Last year, a
at UCT was launched.
The aim is to improve learning and relevance.
Classes are structured as 45 minute lectures
followed by 45 minute mini-tutorials. Practical
work is also important, as is project work. Com-
petency and understanding is also assessed
in a variety of ways.
Advances in technology are changing the
way we live and the way in which we learn. I
believe that these new developments at UCT
are a great step forward and I look forward to
hearing more about the impact they have on
learning outcomes in South Africa.
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3
Chemical Technology • June 2015
by , IChemE Past President, 2014-2015, posted on his blog,
ChemEng365, on 29 April 2015