The Potential of Podcast as Online Learning Media for Supporting Visual Impairment Students to Introduction to Education Course in Universitas Negeri Padang

Abstract

Education equality has been a critical issue in higher education where the students with special needs should obtain the equal opportunities to acquire knowledge through the appropriate learning methods and media. This article discussed the analysis of the potential of Podcast as learning media for inclusive students, specifically for those with visual impairment in online educational setting. This study conducted the qualitative methods with focus group discussion to collect the data. Four blind students from Special Education Department, Faculty of Education in Universitas Negeri Padang involved through video conference application, Zoom, approximately 50 minutes. There were two aspects would be analysed, such as: the characteristic of the learners and the course, and current learning situation. For the results, it is indicated from the students that there should have been certain methods and media to increase the engagement of inclusive students to the materials provided in online learning. As the students have difficulty in visual ability, it is necessary to develop a specific learning media to help the students cope with the problems. Developing Podcast for learning is expected to be one of the strategies to help blind students understand the topic studied more easily.