Media

Media Literacy and Podcasting: Embracing Media Literacy Is More Important Than Ever

The new Ontario Language Curriculum focuses on providing students with enhanced communication skills across a variety of media to ensure they thrive in the world after graduation. Media literacy education allows students to broaden their experience of media, bolster their creative skills and develop generative capability in establishing informed media identities of their own.

Podcasting is a highly effective medium through which to achieve these means. Podcasting requires emphasis on communication via speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and when incorporated into classroom learning through interactive student-centric lessons, new levels of creativity become possible. Combining technology and digital tools with an opportunity for students to develop stronger communication skills and media literacy sets the stage for more inclusive, engaged and fun learning environments.

SESSION ONE
Introduction to Podcasting

Session One begins with introducing podcaster Brent Jensen and a brief background of his No Sleep ’til Sudbury podcast. The critical fundamentals of podcasting are covered, and the session concludes with a live podcast recording demonstration.

Learning Objectives

1. Familiarization: what podcasting is, what’s needed to create a podcast, and where to start
2. Equipment review: detailed coverage of all tools required to create a podcast, from recording gear through to editing software and hosting platforms
3. Preparation: through a live demonstration, students will learn about the importance of research and preparation required prior to recording an episode

Agenda

  • Brief introduction of podcast host Brent Jensen
  • Interactive podcast discussion with class – “what would you call your podcast?”
  • Equipment review
  • Pre-recording requirements
  • Live podcast recording demonstration – staff member interviewed by Brent

SESSION TWO
Creating a Podcast

Collaborative workshop activity is the focus of Session Two. Following a brief review of Session One, including listening to the final edited version of the mock episode created in that session, students will be asked to form groups to brainstorm the creation of their own podcasts.

Learning Objectives

1. Episode creation: students will experience the complete life cycle of
a podcast episode, having witnessed the initial recording of the episode and then hearing the final edited product
2. Interactive collaboration: through workshopping podcast ideas with each other, students hone communication and collaboration skills
3. Experiential learning: students are tasked with defining their own project, bolstering creativity and promoting student-centric learning

Agenda

  • Playback of edited podcast episode recorded in previous session
  • Students form groups to brainstorm the creation of their own podcasts
  • Collaborative workshopping for balance of session

SESSION THREE
Review and Next Steps

Session Three completes the learning series with an interactive review of the workshop sessions, followed by a discussion surrounding post-creation topics like the application of podcasts in today’s media world, podcast data and interpretation, and podcast monetization.

Learning Objectives

1. Collaboration recap: discussion will touch on the importance of collaborative idea generation and communication in the development of projects
2. Creativity: students are encouraged to embrace new levels of self-directed creativity while incorporating their own personal identities
3. Media savvy: media literacy is the basis of all sessions, but the concept formally culminates in Session Three’s interactive discussion

Agenda

  • Session Two collaborative workshop review
  • Interactive discussion of the podcast’s role in modern media
  • Interpreting and understanding podcast download data and statistics
  • Podcast monetization
  • The future of podcasting in media
  • Q&A period
  • Closing remarks