Читать книгу Listen Wise - Monica Brady-Myerov - Страница 14

A podcast obsession is gripping the nation. More than half of all Americans 12 and older have listened to a podcast, and 40% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 listened to a podcast in the last month, at the time of writing.¹ There are an estimated 1,750,000 podcasts to listen to.² These podcasts will tell you the news of the day or how to make a perfectly fried egg. I see the explosion of podcasts as a renaissance for listening. There is now common acceptance that listening is an excellent way to understand the world or just be entertained by it. Whether listening to a podcast to learn about Ancient Greek history or how to manage their finances, millions of people are learning through listening. And young listeners are also tuning in. Capitalizing on this trend in your class will distinguish your teaching and captivate your students.

This trend shows that I'm not alone in my love of audio storytelling. We are on the forefront of an exciting time when audio can bring the world into the classroom, and students can use audio to share what they know with the world. Thousands of classrooms across grade levels, demographics, and locations are using podcasts in teaching, and some are creating their own podcasts.

I like to hear something that I never heard before and that is exciting!

—Daniel, fifth-grader in Elk Grove, CA

I've continued to see a rising number of conference sessions on how to podcast or use podcasts in the K–12 classroom. In 2019 at ISTE, the largest edtech conference, there were 23 sessions about podcasting during a three-day conference. This podcasting trend makes sense. The technology is accessible. The human voice is captivating. Hearing directly from someone who experienced an event is meaningful. Encouraging students to speak to others who have first-hand knowledge creates a deep and meaningful learning experience. Having students imitate well-written audio narratives helps them improve their writing. And most importantly, when students make podcasts, it gives them a voice. Making podcasts fosters authentic, passion-driven learning.

There has never been a better time, a more perfect moment, for me to share what I've learned about teaching listening through audio stories.