Using podcasts in independent listening courses: Legal and pedagogical implications

Abstract

This paper reports on the development of an independent listening course based entirely on podcasts freely available on the internet. The course was designed to allow graduate science students to improve their scientific English listening skills using a portable MP3 player whenever they had free time available, such as while waiting for experimental results in their laboratories. As materials were delivered to and used by students outside the classroom, several pedagogical and legal problems arose during the development of the course. These issues were dealt with by developing a novel approach to creating supporting materials that are designed specifically for remote self-study, and that at the same time do not infringe on podcast copyright.