Sharing and Celebrating Points-Of-View

UW's downloadable lectures have iPods playing a new tune

UW's downloadable lectures have iPods playing a new tune

On Mike Jensen's playlist: Oceanography 102.

Along with more entertaining tunes, the University of Washington senior has downloaded his instructor's lectures to his iPod. Now he can learn all the about the world's oceans at home, in the gym or anywhere else on campus.

"You're right there," he said. "It's almost like you're in class."

The course podcasts -- available through a UW pilot program -- have helped Jensen cram for tests while doing other things -- such as riding a stationary bike.

"When you're running around, it's easier to listen to the lecture," said Jensen, whose schedule these days is jammed. He's a forward on the Husky basketball team.

This quarter, oceanography instructor Richard Strickland and two other UW lecturers are offering podcasts -- allowing students to subscribe to the classroom sessions on their computer and transfer them to a portable listening device.

The podcasts have been downloaded more than 2,100 times since the program started a few weeks ago, UW officials said. (more)

By CHRISTINE FREY



Joshua Trujillo / P-I
Oceanography instructor Richard Strickland shows the digital audio recorder he uses to create podcasts of his lectures at Kane Hall at the University of Washington. Strickland is one of three lecturers at the UW offering podcasts of class sessions.

posted by JOlmsted @ 8:47 AM