Podcasts Developed through the Successive Approximation Model 1 (SAM 1): A Tool for Teaching Research to Broadcasting Students

This educational design research study aimed to develop and evaluate podcasts for the academic course Research in Broadcasting, Interactive and Emerging Media (BR 218). The iterative process of Successive Approximation Model 1 (SAM 1) was employed, and students’ learning experiences were studied. Three groups participated in the study across three iterations. Semi-structured interviews with learners and evaluations by experts were conducted. The WVSU Evaluation Form for Non-Printed Instructional Materials (EFNPIM) was used in the evaluation. Findings revealed three major themes surrounding the recent learners’ experiences in the course BR 218: (1) broadcasting students’ research journey, (2) group research dynamics, and (3) complex research concepts. The educational podcast consisted of various episodes produced iteratively by the students with the course facilitator. Researchcaster, the resulting podcast channel, was launched via the platform Spotify for Podcasters. Experts rated the educational podcast to be very acceptable across all categories, confirming its adherence to standards and suitability for education. The results demonstrate that educational podcasts are useful learning tools in broadcasting research courses, offering valuable insights for future instructional and curriculum innovations. Integrating educational podcasts into various courses other than broadcasting, collaborating with professional content creators to enhance podcast content, and advocating for support from school administrators and the Commission on Higher Education are recommended. Lastly, future research is suggested on exploring and expanding the current findings about educational podcast development and utilization.