Student Podcasts: Learning, Teaching, Communicating

The following information has been provided by Julia Torquati, Professor, Child, Youth & Family Studies during CTT's Spring 2020 Teaching Learning Symposium.

Overview:

For this method, students were assigned to groups (5-6 members) and for each module of the course (5 weeks), they chose a topic, wrote a research summary and a podcast or a video script, wrote three multiple-choice questions for the class quiz, and produced the podcast or video. This project functioned as a unit exam for each module. 

Objectives:

  • Deep learning about a specific topic of interest relevant to the course module
  • Develop skill summarizing key points for a general audience
  • Develop communication skills through a podcast and/or video (persuasion, messaging)
  • Technical skills for communication (software, hardware)
  • Group collaboration skills
  • Peer teaching and learning

Implementation:

Please note, these instructions are based on an online course:

  1. Model for the class (instructor creates videos and podcasts)
  2. Provide online resources (tips & tools, software suggestions, examples of scripts)
  3. Provide stepwise instructions for students; research summary, script, and quiz questions are due a week before the podcast/video
  4. Be available for questions & provide feedback
  5. Students view/listen to all podcasts/videos and respond to quiz questions