Audio recording of lectures (hereafter referred to as podcasts) has become common practice in many universities. The ease with which academics can podcast their teaching has resulted in extensive use of podcasting in universities. The speed with which this has happened has given little time for reflection on the value of podcasting of lectures for student learning, and the ways in which students use podcasts. Many studies have been undertaken on podcasting of lectures used in individual courses (Tynan & Colbran, 2006; Abt & Barry, 2007). In this study we examine the use of podcasting by students in a large faculty of a university. This enables comparisons between students studying in different modes (full time and part time), in different programs and with different educational and language backgrounds. Thus the aim of this study was to determine why and how students are using podcasts, the perception of students of the usefulness of podcasts, and factors which impact upon student use.

Keywords: podcasting, diversity, academic practice