L&D trend: Podcasts

Leveraging podcasts to improve e-Learning flexibility and engagement

Podcasts are a valuable addition to e-learning as they improve flexibility and accessibility. They allow learners to absorb educational content during everyday activities and provide additional insights alongside formal course materials.

At Elevate, we view podcasts as a strategic tool to enrich e-learning and optimize learning outcomes. We have already implemented podcasts in several online courses. One example is the Cardiovascular Epidemiology course from our partner Utrecht University.

Listen to a segment from the podcast for the online course Cardiovascular Epidemiology about kidneys.

Expert interviews

For this podcast, we invited experts from the field to share their experiences and knowledge. Thanks our engaging experts and the power of storytelling, learner interest, motivation and retention of the materials are higher.

“Cardiovascular Epidemiology is a highly diverse field with many developments, making it interesting to invite guest speakers on various topics within the field. Additionally, podcasts are easy to update or edit when new developments arise.”

– Hesther van Gulick, Instructional Designer

Top tips for creating educational podcasts

We’ve learned a lot by creating podcasts for our courses. Are you also thinking about creating podcasts for your e-learnings? Here are our top tips:

1. Collaborate with a professional podcast company, ensuring high-quality audio;
2. Create a clear format. If you just invite an expert and let them talk, you might lose your educational value! Experts have so many interesting things to say, but this is an elearning with a clear goal. Make sure there is a clear story to tell, that will support your goals in this elearning;
3. Find good speakers. Audio is your only source as a learner, so make sure your host and guests are engaging and speak clearly. This will increase motivation and interest in the topic.

Podcasts are an excellent tool for making your e-learning more accessible. Want to discover how podcasts can contribute to a more impactful learning experience for your students? Feel free to contact us for advice.