The Power of Podcasts for Learning: Listening, Creating, Sharing, and Growth – SULS0127

The post The Power of Podcasts for Learning: Listening, Creating, Sharing, and Growth – SULS0127 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Podcasts are a powerful tool for learning! In this episode, Kasey talks about all sides of podcasting–what it is, how to listen, how to use them in the classroom, and how to create! 

Maybe you’re reading these show notes and have never listened to an episode. Auditory learning isn’t for everyone, which is why this is the perfect episode to start with if you’re new to podcasts. 

Podcasts can be published by anyone, anywhere, on countless platforms. On-the-go listening has made podcasts incredibly popular. Apple introduced podcasting in 2005 with the popularity of its iPods. But it wasn’t until Serial, a true-crime podcast debuting in 2011, that skyrocketed the listening audience. Breaking with the typical format, Serial used a storytelling structure in episodes that were released weekly. Much like our favorite television shows. 

The Power of Podcasts for Learning: Listening, Creating, Sharing, and Growth!

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The Power of Podcasts for Learning

Today, there are 2 million active podcasts with 48 million episodes available. When listeners were asked why they listen, 3 out of 4 answered to learn new things. A precedent for learning has been set. 

Types of Podcasts

The structure of a podcast has many different forms. Some of those include: 

The Interview The Solo The Panel Conversational and co-hosted Non-fiction storytelling Fiction storytelling 

Each of these structures provides a different purpose to reach a particular audience. Different structures work best with specific contents and purposes for sharing. Some shows, like The Shake Up Learning Show, utilize several structures depending on the content of the episode. 
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Podcast Categories

There is a podcast for just about everything under the sun, or including the sun. Whatever the content that you teach might be, you’re guaranteed to find a podcast episode to go with it. Some of the most popular categories include: 

True CrimeComedySportsFictionHistoryBusinessSociety and CultureKids & FamilyEducationNewsReligion and SpiritualityTV & MoviesTechnologyArtsHealth and FitnessMusicScienceLeisureGovernment

Teachers can use podcast episodes for a number of reasons in the classroom with students. But there are also wonderful podcasts to help teachers gain professional knowledge as well. 
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Podcast PD

If listening to podcasts is a newer concept for you, read advice from Jen Giffen on how to best listen to podcasts. The advantage of learning from a podcast is that you can listen when doing just about anything. That means your everyday activities can be done while listening and learning. 

Here is a list of recommended podcasts for teachers: 

The 10 Minute Teacher with Vicki DavisThe House of EdTechCult of PedagogyAngela Watson’s Truth for TeachersTeaching KeatingCheck This Out!EduMatch Tweet & TalkThe Creative ClassroomHack LearningTeacherCast Modern Learners Edsurge On AirReimagine SchoolsISTE – Your Edtech QuestionsPodcast PDShukes and GiffEducational Duct TapeDitch That Textbook

School administrators are now accepting podcasts as a way of gaining professional credits. They might be embedded during a face-to-face training session to help enhance the content. Listeners can always answer questions in a Google Form or share during a discussion to demonstrate evidence of learning. For the Shake Up Learning Show, there is a question of the week posed at the end of each episode which can be used as well. Or utilize podcasts over an extended period of time through a PD choice board. 

Podcasts and Students

If podcasts can teach teachers, then there must be something for students as well. Consider these ideas for using podcasts as content in the classroom: 

Use podcasts as a stationAn option on a choice boardEnrichmentTo enhance text and other media (read-alongs)Improve listening skillsImprove note-taking skills while listeningUse a Google Form to submit evidence and reflection

Here are some great places to start if you’re looking for content, but of course searching for your topic would also work. 

The 25 Best Podcasts for KidsNPR Podcasts for KidsKids ListenPinna.fmBest Podcasts for Kids16 Great Learning Podcasts for the Classroom18 Best Podcasts for Kids in Elementary, Middle, and High School50 Of The Best Podcasts For High School Students

Another option for using podcasts in the classroom is to have students create them. Kasey shares how her class produced an episode of Miss Bell’s Chime Time to share their best writing. While in 2005 this project took more time than it would now, Kasey still hears about the positive impact it had on her students from that year. 

Other ideas for producing student-created podcasts include: 

School and community newsStorytelling (Retelling/Historical/Fictional)Celebration of successOvercoming failureInterview (experts, family, community, other students)AudiobooksOral reading of their own writingBook reviews/trailersReflectionRecord a presentationExplain answers to a problemPerform/sing

Here are some teachers creating podcasts in their classrooms if you’d like a great example: 

Tony Vincent’s PixelPaws Student PodcastConnected 4 Learning: The Chrome Squad (Royse City HS)8 Student Podcasts That Made Us Smile

There are also a few great resources to help teachers navigate the production of a classroom podcast. 

25 Ways to Use Audio in Google Slides ProjectsNPR’s Guide for Students50 Ideas for Student Podcasts from Edublogger

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How to Produce a Podcast

The good news is that there isn’t any need for fancy equipment or software. As long as you have access to a computer with recording capabilities then it can be done. A separate microphone can provide higher-quality audio, but it’s not a must-have. There are several free options available to record and edit your podcasts. 

AudacityTwisted Wave SoundtrapOnline Voice RecorderApowersoft Free Online Audio Recorder

There are also a few free, easy-to-use options for publishing as well. 

AnchorGo SynthSpreaker

To learn even more about podcasting with your students this episode of The Shake Up Learning Show can help. When you have published with your students be sure to share. 

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The post The Power of Podcasts for Learning: Listening, Creating, Sharing, and Growth – SULS0127 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.