Using Podcasts to Build Speaking and Listening Skills in Students

 

Using Podcasts in Learning Circles

Podcasts are definitely here to stay. Using them in the classroom to improve Common Core State Standards with regard to improving speaking and listening skills in students may be a new concept for many educators. However, a very easy way an educator can do this while breaking habit from the regular classroom routine is refreshing for both educator and students. 

When students gather in circle, holding the norms of an effective circle to heart, which listening to relevant and rigorous topics, magical things can happen. I witnessed such a wondrous site when I introduced my students to the NIU Podcast series titled, Failure Bites. These podcast episodes are short, under 6 minutes and they are filled with life lessons, hardship and triumph! These are all the makings of a great classroom experience.

After the particular linked episode, students began to share connects of when they moved through failure with grace often making out better than they had anticipated with ample amounts of priceless life lessons. As long as the class has established talking norms and students are connected to the podcast content in some way, the entire class can witness all students being included and participating; hence classroom magic.