Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Podcasts in Lieu of Reading a Text?


Piktogramm[Bearbeiten


Not only is listening a Common Core State Standard (CCSS), but it has some advantages over text. You can still have students follow along using a written transcript, but students can listen to text 2-3 grade levels higher than they read. Unfamiliar words do not stop the story as they often do when reading.  Additionally, our EL students benefit by hearing English spoken by a fluent reader.


Many high school teachers have used the popular This American Life series, Serial.  Part 1 of the series consists of 12 episodes (about 45 minutes each).  The story encourages students to use analytical skills like evaluating evidence and sources, making and defending a claim, and critically reading a text (the transcript).  The podcast can also serve as an exemplar or mentor text for students to use as a model for an original podcast.


Serial is just one example of a podcast that can be used with students.  There are many others including shorter podcasts.  Additionally, there are podcasts for many diverse subjects/contents.  Here are a few links for podcasts and resources for using them in the classroom:



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