Podcasts are growing rapidly every day, you can have any type of podcast, informative, entertaining, opinionated, stories, sermons, political, etc. The first podcast was created in 2004 by Dave Winer and Adam Curry named after the iPod mp3 player that played them. (Son, 2024) You would think podcasts are everywhere now, one of your friends might have it. However, can podcasts, teach me a lesson? We will discuss 3 ways they probably can through the student's voice, encouraging feedback and lastly through storytelling.
Student Choice
In the classroom student voice refers to the values, opinions, beliefs, perspectives, and cultural background of individual students and groups of students in schools to instructional approaches and techniques based on one`s interest. (Sabbott, 2013) In the TED talk “The Power of podcasting” by Beau York, he talks about how podcasting can bring about connection, and relationships in the most intimate of spaces. (TEDx Talks, 2018) When you give students the space to feel heard they are more motivated to share their ideas within group projects and create meaningful discussions. This article speaks about Professor Brigid Vance, who introduced a podcast on East Asian collection at Lawrence University, and she discusses the project involving the podcast and how it caused students to think outside the box and explain in their own words East Asian culture. Keller talks about how “motivation to learn is promoted when learners believe they can succeed in mastering the learning task.” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2017). The professor did this by giving her students creative control over what they find but she was controlling the subject matter they speak on.
Encouraging Feedback
Having podcasts in the classroom would bring other students, teachers, and parents together by hearing what students think. From a teacher's perspective, having a student-based podcast in the classroom would give meaning to the learner. Object-based learning is what the students were doing by understanding the links to past and present by creating scripts to artifacts they have found. Keller talks about “how using feedback reinforces a student for completing an optimally challenging task by including a congratulatory comment”. Using feedback for students not only helps them feel challenged but also keeps them on track. In this article, a student-based podcast radio show at Newcastle University to communicate geomorphological data within the context of relevant social and environmental issues. (Kemp et al., 2012) what they found was when they learned how to do it and how to make it, they were more excited about creating it. Just learning by doing was the most enjoyable part of the process as well as collaborating with teachers.
Storytelling
Storytelling based on research is a way that people can relate to each other, and stories have long been used to get people thinking about viewpoints beyond their own as well as to express our experiences to others. (The Power of Storytelling to Facilitate Human Connection and Learning | IMPACT, n.d.) when you allow students to create a story that would make them feel in control of their learning. Podcasting is using subject matter to create the scene however storytelling makes the scene come to life. This article talks about how using science fiction short stories in the form of a podcast is a fun and engaging way to compel learners at a German university. The information they hear helps them find relevant ways to solve a problem. (Botts, 2024) Podcasts wouldn’t be able to take away from lectures but add a creative spin on what is already being taught from someone else`s point of view.
Conclusion
Having podcasts in the classroom can be a great break from regular lectures from time to time. Students get to engage in a new innovative way of learning while having their thoughts and opinions heard in a classroom. In the TED talk " The power of podcasting "By Beau York, he talks about how it can bring about community and positive discussions. (TEDx Talks, 2018) we will see how important it is to motivate learners to know they have a voice and show them how to use it is a powerful thing.
Reference:
TEDx Talks. (2018, February 26). The Power of Podcasting | Beau York | TEDxMillSapsCollege [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5maU9oFR1k
Son, M. (2024, June 21). The complete history of podcasts. https://www.descript.com/blog/article/history-of-podcasts#:~:text=In%202004%2C%20Winer%20partnered%20up,MP3%20player%20that%20played%20them.
Sabbott. (2013, December 20). Student Voice Definition. The Glossary of Education Reform. https://www.edglossary.org/student-voice/
Reiser, R. A., & Dempsey, J. V. (2017). Trends and issues in instructional design and technology.
Kemp, J., Mellor, A., Kotter, R., & Oosthoek, J. W. (2012). Student-Produced Podcasts as an Assessment Tool: An Example from Geomorphology. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 36(1), 117–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2011.576754
Real World Based Problems
Real-world based problems are essential for engaging students in meaningful learning experiences. This principle involves connecting academic concepts to practical, real-life situations, making learning more relevant and applicable. Podcasts are growing rapidly every day, offering various formats such as informative, entertaining, opinionated, stories, sermons, political, etc. While podcasts are prevalent, can they teach valuable lessons? One way podcasts can do this is by addressing real-world issues and scenarios. For instance, a podcast discussing environmental science might present real-life scenarios, such as the effects of pollution on ecosystems, encouraging listeners to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. This method helps bridge the gap between abstract concepts and real-world challenges, making learning more meaningful and engaging. Podcasts can…
Ms. Rodgers, I thoroughly enjoyed your discussion on Podcasting in the classroom and what it can do for learners and instructors. The article I chose to share may be one you have seen as the topic was not heavily populated. It identifies the reality of 2020 as the shift to online learning, prompted by the pandemic, has presented challenges but it has also catalyzed the utilization of new technologies, such as social work content podcasting, to facilitate learning. This disruption has led to a rethinking of the educational dynamic, emphasizing a more balanced partnership in knowledge production between students and teachers. Overall, podcasting represents a beacon of innovation and collaboration in social work education, inspiring positive change and progress. The…
Hello Nykia, I am so pleased to have gotten to read your post. The appeal of podcasts has mystified me for some time, though, I do believe I have come across some that have episodes that entertain and interest me. I’d not considered their application in learning activities, and I agree with all the points made in your post. I did find an article that supports much of what you’ve said but there are a few points I think expand on what you’ve put forth. The article I’d like to share is “Learner-generated podcasts: an authentic and enjoyable assessment for students working in pairs” by Andy Wakefield, Rebecca Pike, and Sheila Amici-Dargan.
Choice
In the study, groups of students were…