In this modern multitasking age, we are rarely doing just one activity at a time. Whenever I am doing mundane activities, like driving, folding laundry or cleaning, I add some excitement by listening to podcasts. Podcasts are digital audio files that you can listen to on your computer or mobile device. They are typically available as a series and you can hear new installments automatically when they come out when you subscribe to a certain podcast. Podcasts don't just have to be for casual listening. They can cover every topic you can imagine, like current events, comedy, self-help and education. I'll be focusing my gaze to educational podcasting in this blog.
Podcast can be used in countless ways, with only your imagination as a limitation. Some examples of ways to incorporate podcasting in the classroom, which I got from the amazing blog, Ask a Tech Teacher by Jacqui Murray, are:
Podcasts have a huge variety of narrative types and subject matter that can fit any lesson
The topics podcast cover are countless. They cover topics such as fictional stories, educational and inspirational TED talks, current events/world news, history, sports, pop culture/entertainment, and investigative journalism. This variety keeps the class fresh and engaging, and podcasts expose students to a wide variety of methods of communication, including narration, casual dialogue, scripted dialogue, and interviews.
Reading along keeps easily distracted students extremely focused.
Students report that reading along with the audio helps with their focus and helps with comprehension as they recognize that they can look back and reread something they didn't understand when they first heard it.
Podcasts are free, accessible, and always contemporary.
Podcast are a free tool that teacher can use. Podcasts help students feel like they’re doing something special, new, and fresh, which makes learning exciting.
Try exploring some educational podcast at https://www.weareteachers.com/best-podcasts-for-kids/. You will find suggestions for every grade level and they provide suggested lessons to accompany the podcast.
Kokias, M. (2017, August 07). 18 Best Podcasts for Kids in Elementary, Middle, & High School. Retrieved from https://www.weareteachers.com/best-podcasts-for-kids/
Podcast can be used in countless ways, with only your imagination as a limitation. Some examples of ways to incorporate podcasting in the classroom, which I got from the amazing blog, Ask a Tech Teacher by Jacqui Murray, are:
- Teachers can curate the varied student-created podcasts into a library of podcasts for present and future students.
- Students can deliver weekly or monthly podcasts on different topics
- Make podcasts of class guest speakers to share with absent students or future classes. This can be stored in the podcast library
- Have students interview each other as well as teachers and administrators about important school-wide events such as a sports competition or an award ceremony.
- Students can make a podcast that summarizes the books they are reading.
- Great alternative to an oral report for those shy students
- Read your lecture and students can review the material when its convenient to them
- Podcasts can replace reports and PowerPoint as an independent learning project
There are also many benefits to incorporating this audio medium into your lessons as well. According to Michael Godsey from CommonSense.com, some benefits of using podcasts in the classroom are:
Reading along with a podcast builds confidence and literacy.
I was always taught that you are never too old to be read to and this is the perfect example of it. Incorporating the transcript while the students listen to podcasts allow students to practice their listening comprehension of complex texts that are both conversational and formal. This benefit is especially effective for English language learners as they can read the words and promptly the correct pronunciation.
I was always taught that you are never too old to be read to and this is the perfect example of it. Incorporating the transcript while the students listen to podcasts allow students to practice their listening comprehension of complex texts that are both conversational and formal. This benefit is especially effective for English language learners as they can read the words and promptly the correct pronunciation.
Podcasts have a huge variety of narrative types and subject matter that can fit any lesson
The topics podcast cover are countless. They cover topics such as fictional stories, educational and inspirational TED talks, current events/world news, history, sports, pop culture/entertainment, and investigative journalism. This variety keeps the class fresh and engaging, and podcasts expose students to a wide variety of methods of communication, including narration, casual dialogue, scripted dialogue, and interviews.
Reading along keeps easily distracted students extremely focused.
Students report that reading along with the audio helps with their focus and helps with comprehension as they recognize that they can look back and reread something they didn't understand when they first heard it.
Podcasts are free, accessible, and always contemporary.
Podcast are a free tool that teacher can use. Podcasts help students feel like they’re doing something special, new, and fresh, which makes learning exciting.
There are many sites where you and your students can make your own podcasts. I will give you an overview of my favorite 3 podcast platforms and their features, according to John Street from ResonateRecordings.com, and I will post an example of a library-centric podcast at the end .
Audioboom make podcasts accessible and profitable for podcasters, advertisers and brands by combining technical support, production savvy and ad sales know-how into one user-friendly, economical experience.
Features:
- Publish up to 5 episodes per month
- Up to 10,000 plays per month
- Distribution via Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, GooglePlay and Stitcher
- Embeddable Player for your website and social media integration
SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform and music sharing website that enables its users to upload, promote, and share audio.
Features:
- 3 hour-unlimited hours of monthly uploads
- Embedded players
Podbean is a podcast app and podcast player that you can search, download, and listen to your favorite podcast, FM, radio and audiobook anywhere, anytime. While most hosting platforms are simply the home for the podcast, PodBean offers a place where their podcasts are featured, categorized and presented for direct consumption.
Features:
- Website builder and full-featured podcast site
- Reliable cloud hosting
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth
- iTunes and play store support
- Search engine optimized
- Your own domain and branding
I helped create a podcast using Podbean with classmates Amber Scott and Shannon Jenn on the topic of Banned and Challenged books. You can listen here.
As you can see, utilizing podcasts in the classroom are beneficial to students and frankly really fun! Can't wait to hear what you and your students create! Happy reading.
References:
Godsey, M. (2018, May 21). How Podcasts Can Improve Literacy in the Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/how-podcasts-can-improve-literacy-in-the-classroom
Kokias, M. (2017, August 07). 18 Best Podcasts for Kids in Elementary, Middle, & High School. Retrieved from https://www.weareteachers.com/best-podcasts-for-kids/
Murray, J. (2017, January 20). Technology in the Classroom: How, Why to Use Podcasts. Retrieved from https://askatechteacher.com/how-and-why-to-use-podcasts-in-your-classes/
Murray, J. (2016, July 27). 4 Ways to Use Podcasts in the Classroom. Retrieved from https://askatechteacher.com/4-ways-to-use-podcasts-in-the-classroom/
Street, J. (2018, July 9). 8 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms 2018. Retrieved from https://resonaterecordings.com/2018/07/podcast-hosting-platforms/
Great ideas for using podcasts in the classroom - especially all the ways to use student-created podcasts. I just think they are a great avenue for encouraging student voice and creativity. They could be a great addition to schools that offer a Genius Hour or similar program - in addition to pursuing new their passion projects, students could then podcast about what they are learning and working on.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post! Podcasts are definitely something I need to use more of in the library, because it will reach those auditory learners I have on campus! I think that the kids would love making their own podcasts as well, and I liked the ideas you gave for getting students involved. They would make a great station!
ReplyDeleteI really like your recommendations for using podcasts in the library as well the classroom. Helping teachers provide alternatives to typical projects strengthens your role as a campus leader. I really like the idea of students using podcasts to summarize the books they've read or in place of oral reports.
ReplyDeleteI liked your lesson ideas for using podcasts! I really enjoy the idea of using podcasts to help struggling readers or English Language Learners. It reminds me of the audio books I had when I was younger that came with the book and a cassette tape! I remember really enjoying those books. I will definitely explore this idea next year as an elementary librarian.
ReplyDelete