What is an Educational Podcast?
Podcasts are very useful and in demand nowadays because anyone can listen to them anywhere, anytime, while working, and even without the internet (e.g., Player FM). However, the rise of all other podcasts has also highlighted the importance of creating an educational podcast. Educational podcasts are an effective medium for teachers to teach and students to learn. Here, teachers and other educators can use it to teach basic skills or provide valuable insights to students on a different topic or subject, like the history of World War II, geographic location, and more. Ultimately, the main purpose of these podcasts is to educate their listeners on the specified topic.
This article will provide the proper guidance for creating an educational podcast for learning. In addition, it also includes the advantages of educational podcasts, how to create them using different methods, and provides steps to ensure your podcast becomes a valuable resource.
Advantages of Educational Podcast
Podcasts have been helpful for teachers and students in many ways; some of the reasons are as follows.
1. It provides flexibility
Unlike other types of content (written articles or blogs), listeners can listen to podcasts anywhere and anytime. Moreover, educational podcasts are flexible and give listeners a sense of control. They can pause and rewind whenever they need to. Also, one advantage of podcasts over video is that listeners don’t have to look at the screen and thus can solely focus on listening and taking notes.
2. Reduces the pressure of on-screen appearances
Podcasts can be relatively more accessible for teachers. They can have an informal talk, meaning not having a direct connection with students on-screen. This can make the concept clear to the students without worrying about how they look on camera or on-screen.
3. Encourages informal learning
In a world where education has always been a formal learning process (classroom learning), podcast breaks these stereotypes and allows learners to learn through informal learning. Teachers can share their knowledge in a relaxed and easy-to-understand manner through channels like iTunes or SoundCloud.
4. Provides global access to students
Podcasts are highly accessible to students also. Students from all over the world can easily access, listen, and learn through different educational podcasts. These podcasts are easy to download, play, and learn from.
5. Provides the latest content
Podcasts help teachers to share updated and fresh content. Some of the educational podcasts cover current affairs and the latest technological developments. Since they make it continuously on a regular basis, they include all the latest topics.
How to Use Podcasts in Education?
Many of us might ask how to use podcasts in education. The educational podcast includes teachers or lecturers with different ideas and knowledge on the given topic. The following are some ways students can use educational podcasts for academic activities.
- Case Studies
Podcasts can help you connect with the outside world through real-life case studies, interviews, debates, or expert discussions. This allows students to listen to it and imagine, like, and debate with opposing opinions. They can refer to or treat it as an interactive case study.
- Reflection
Students can use educational podcasts as a resource for doing assignments or projects. For example, a podcast on the field trip will allow students to learn about the speaker’s experience, and they can interact to ask queries. Also, podcasts can provide practical tips for laboratory work.
- Learning Method
Listening to educational podcasts is also an effective learning method. Here, students can grasp the content by hearing about the subject matter, understanding it, and reasoning towards it.
How To Create a Podcast on Education?
Till now, you have learned what an educational podcast is, its advantages, and how to use it in education. Let’s see how to create one with step-by-step instructions.
1. Define your teaching goals
Creating a podcast always starts with preparation. In preparation, you must set your teaching goals and the content you want to share on your podcast channel.
You can start by asking yourself the below questions.
- What is the main learning goal behind this podcast?
- What will be the podcast style or design (lecture style, interview, or radio style)?
Once you answer these questions, you will know what kind of content you would like to create. For interviews, you must make a list of guests or lecturers, an online teacher, or someone proficient in the topic you will be further discussing on the podcast for learning. If it is a lecture-style podcast, you must thoroughly research what topic you will be presenting, the sub-topic, the goal, and everything in detail.
2. Write the script or content of the podcast
Once you have finalized the goal, it’s time to write the script or content of the podcast. Many believe podcasts are random without pre-planned, but that is not always true. Each podcast has its script, which creates a storyline about the main topics. It helps the teachers or individuals in developing a well-structured podcast with a proper beginning and ending.
It gives them an idea of what topic to discuss first, how to proceed further, and how to complete the podcast. Therefore, educational podcasts should always focus on students and how to make it interesting for them.
When creating a script, there are three different parts, which are as follows.
- Beginning (Opening): In the beginning, start by introducing the topics that you will discuss in the podcast. Further, you give them an idea of the relevant podcast. You can also open your conservation with a question or misconception, like: ‘Let’s find out if this is true.’ Or you can ask your listeners for any questions to engage them. Thus, an opening should attract the listeners and interest them in what’s to come.
- Middle: The middle part of the podcast answers the central question and explains the key concept. You can connect different parts of the discussion or topics to ensure clarity. This section should be detailed in educational podcasts, giving listeners an appropriate answer or solution to the opening questions.
- Ending: The ending should summarize the main points discussed in that episode or podcast. In addition, you can relate the content to additional learning material or a trailer of upcoming episodes. For example, you can suggest top research paper writing services in a scientific writing podcast as additional academic support. The ending should satisfy listeners who are eager to learn more from your podcast channels.
3. Develop the Podcast
Once your goal and script are ready, the final step is organizing a podcast. Here, you will need a few tools, equipment, and guests to perform an interview-style podcast. The podcast can be fluent with the script, meeting the requirements and delivering the goal smoothly. When developing a podcast, you must cover every aspect of the topic and make the tone clear and simple so that all listeners can understand it.
Effective Tips for Launching a Podcast
Here are a few practical tips for educators to make the best podcasts!
1. Keep it simple
Use simpler and fluent words rather than complex or long words to understand the concept better.
2. Use active language
Use active words to make the sentence structure more straightforward for the listeners. Further, you can use words your target audience might be familiar with. Read your script aloud to identify any word or phrase you stumble upon that needs reworking.
3. Address the audience
An educational podcast must be able to address its audience effectively. Remember, you are creating it for a community of learners who engage and directly participate in your podcast.
4. Keep the script short
Depending upon the agenda and topic, you can decide the duration of your episodes. It should ideally be around 1 to 2 hours and consider the audience’s needs and attention span.
Final Thoughts
Educational podcasts are important for teachers as well as students. It is necessary to consider all factors before creating one. The main purpose of this type of podcast is to provide valuable and updated information on education purposes.
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