What is the academic efficacy of podcasting?

Podcasting may be an answer to some of the challenges to higher education to modernize, to open up, and to develop a competitive edge. However, over the years there have been many high claims for new technology, and not all of them have been redeemed. In terms of academic performance, it may therefore be asked if podcasting really is worth the investment? Looking for at least a tentative answer, the present paper reviews an extensive body of scholarly literature published 2004-2009 on experiences with podcasting in higher education. It is concluded that purely in terms of assessing student performance, indications of the efficacy of podcasting are as yet fairly weak - admitting for a general lack of longitudinal studies. Still, podcasting does seem to have a general positive impact on the academic environment. One such effect is opening up for experimentation with known forms of teaching. Another effect is that many students experience podcasts as a genuine improvement to the study environment, and that they use the new tool rationally as a supplement to their study activities. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.