Enhanced podcasting for medical students: Progression from pilot to e-learning resource

Background: We recorded enhanced podcasts consisting of the lecturer’s audio talk and images from the computer screen (usually PowerPoint). The process we used, as well as the software and infrastructure required, are described.Objective: The study had two objectives: to determine whether undergraduate medical students found enhanced podcasting useful (discussed here); and how enhanced podcasts influenced students' learning (discussed in a separate article).Methods: We progressed from podcasting a single lecture block of 6 weeks to capturing all lectures for the entire medical undergraduate curriculum encompassing all 6 years, as well as podcasts of clinical tutorials. The podcasts are hosted on a content management system (http://fmhspod.sun.ac.za) for students to view or download.Results: Student enthusiasm in adopting enhanced podcasts and using them to assist their learning has led to the project developing into a web-based resource for the entire undergraduate medical programme.Conclusions: Enhanced podcasts are now an essential part of the curriculum. The project has the potential to become self-sustainable by hosting other formerly printed files on the website, thus saving on printing costs