Key factors:
Discovering modern methods to have interaction college students whereas maximizing studying is a purpose many educators attempt for. In in the present day’s digital age, it’s mandatory for educators to assume exterior the field when planning project-based studying alternatives for college kids.
There are lots of digital instruments lecturers depend on to have interaction college students, and extra are created annually. Wouldn’t or not it’s nice to discover a instrument or mission that’s partaking for college kids whereas serving to them observe their receptive and productive language abilities?
Enter the podcast. Whereas podcasts have remained a stable contender in the way in which we eat info within the final 20 years, additionally they present a easy but highly effective medium that may assist college students of their literacy and communication development.
Many educators presently use podcasts for college kids to hearken to. Nonetheless, the actual energy lies in utilizing student-created podcasts as a mission based mostly studying alternative. Research, like one performed in 2023 by Chaves-Yuste and de-la Peña, have discovered that college students studying English as a international language have demonstrated considerably increased scores in comparison with a management group after creating and utilizing podcasts within the classroom. Creating podcasts has additionally been proven to enhance studying, writing, and
listening abilities, whereas selling pupil engagement and collaboration, in keeping with Besser, Blackwell, & Saenz (2022).
By creating podcasts, college students observe receptive and productive abilities. They have to hearken to their work whereas enhancing, write and browse their scripts to arrange for his or her
manufacturing, and naturally, communicate to create their podcast. All 4 domains (studying, writing, listening, and talking) are current. College students have the chance and freedom to precise themselves, and as Arianna Prothero explains, “podcasts assist college students discover their voice.” Moreover, podcasting permits college students to place into observe the 4Cs of twenty first century abilities: communication, creativity, collaboration, and demanding considering.
Classroom podcasting instruments
Making a podcast could appear to be a frightening job, however it’s fairly easy with the correct instruments. All you want is a solution to report and edit audio. If you wish to take it a step additional along with your college students and publish your podcast to share with the general public, additionally, you will want a publishing platform. Fortunately, there are various choices on the market, from free options for individuals beginning out to paid all-in-one options for professionals.
Standard instruments to start out recording a podcast embody Garageband and Audacity, each free choices. Garageband may be very person pleasant and features a easy interface with built-in presets. Audacity is an open-source audio recording and enhancing platform. To publish your podcast episodes, internet hosting platforms like Spotify for Creators, Spreaker, and Podbean provide free plans with loads of storage for college kids beginning out. A well-liked one-stop resolution for recording, enhancing, and publishing is Podomatic, which additionally gives a free plan. All of those internet hosting platforms additionally provide paid plans with added advantages and performance. These should not mandatory to start out podcasting with college students, although–the free choices are simply superb.
The podcasting plan
Academics can begin by introducing their college students to podcasts. They’ll hearken to any multitude of podcasts made particularly for youths. Right here, college students get familiarized with the format and have entry to a mannequin. Then, college students can collaborate in teams, assigning roles inside their group to hold out completely different jobs and obligations.
Teams can take the next steps outlined in Spotify for Creators to start out planning their podcast:
Select a subject: College students have a alternative and a voice in choosing a subject of curiosity to them–one they’re captivated with and may discuss long-term. Right here, they will have their voice heard and inform their story from their perspective.
Decide their format: Will their podcast be a roundtable with a number of college students speaking in regards to the matter? Will they interview somebody? Will they narrate a narrative? Will or not it’s a critical podcast or a extra humorous format?
Outline their viewers: Offering an genuine viewers for college kids encourages them to see the aim of their work. Taking it a step additional and truly publishing their work to the online helps college students join their work with the actual world.
Develop their branding: College students can use a free graphic design platform like Canva to create their brand and graphics, work on their signature intro and outro, and outline their podcast description.
The following steps are to work on their script and begin recording. Then, on to enhancing their audio and publishing to the online. College students will dictate how in-depth lecturers can take this mission. To start with, it might appear to be a frightening job. However belief the method and college students’ willingness to be inventive. Begin small, get one podcast finished, and study from the expertise. Then, construct on it. Ask college students what the following episode ought to embody and the place they need to take this mission. Embrace them within the dialog to find out the outcomes. Then, step again and watch the magic occur.
References
Besser, E. D., Blackwell, L. E., & Saenz, M. (2022). Participating College students Via Academic Podcasting: Three Tales of Implementation. Know-how, Information and Studying, 27(3), 749–764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-021-09503-8
Chaves-Yuste, B., & de-la Peña, C. (2023). Podcasts’ results on the EFL classroom: a socially related intervention. Good Studying Environments, 10(1), 20–18.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00241-1
Prothero, A. (2023). What Podcasts Did for Scholar Engagement in These Faculties. Training Week. https://www.edweek.org/know-how/what-podcasts-did-for-student-engagement-in-these-schools/2023/07
Spotify for Creators. (2024). Easy methods to begin a podcast: The creator’s step-by-step information. Spotify. https://creators.spotify.com/sources/how-to/start-a-podcast