Do you have a topic that is so interesting you wished you could do an entire class on it? Or maybe wonder what students really thought about an issue? Maybe you wished you could debate a student in a comfortable low-pressure environment? Podcasting is the answer you have been looking for! Whether it’s discussing new concepts or debating opinions, integrating podcasts as educational tools can bring new types of engagement into your classroom.
At its most basic level, podcasting is making an audio file available for online streaming. It can be set up as a conversation between the hosts, interviews, or storytelling, and can be used not only to inform, but also to persuade and even entertain audiences.
Podcasting encourages students to engage with a topic through writing, speaking and discussing. Furthermore, it prompts students to practice different types of writing for a wider audience than is reached by traditional academic writing. It can motivate students to use their creative energy in order to merge project-based learning with digital media analysis and production skills. When paired with rubrics, podcast assignments can be an excellent tool for mastering skills in an engaging and informative way.
Integrating podcasts into your classrooms can support a range of learning objectives. For example, listening to podcasts can be used to support self-paced learning and gives students flexibility to access the information when needed and revisit as many times as needed. Since podcasts are popular around the world, faculty can curate a wide variety of resources which will push students to consider perspectives that can otherwise be hard to find. These podcasts are often captured using authentic conversations with experts, natives, and average people.
Students can also produce podcasts to present their own information, analysis and conclusions in a creative way. These can then be used for both formative and summative assessments. You can also make a podcast assignment into a group project, thus opening up a whole new set of skills to practice. Teamwork, collaboration, and communication are all skills which are needed in the real world. This gives students a taste of practical knowledge. Using podcasts in the classroom helps students take ownership of their learning and gives them flexibility in the way they master material.
If you are interested in using podcasts in your classroom teaching, UChicago offers various methods of producing high- quality podcasts. For example, ATS has built out a Podcast Studio that can be reserved by faculty and students for academic work. This simple, easy-to-use studio allows users to create high-quality audio recordings, with no preparation needed beyond a 30-minute tutorial. All of the work of setting up a microphone, amplifiers and sound mixers is already done and pre-configured, leaving the user with only the task of recording their material.
Further Resources
If you would like to get started with podcasting, fill out our podcast request form. If you have questions about the points raised in this article, or about any topic pertaining to teaching with technology, Academic Technology Solutions is here to help! You can email us, drop by our office hours, attend one of our workshops, or book a consultation with an instructional designer.