Educators have discovered that podcasts can be a powerful tool for helping students find their voice. An immersive space in an igloo is like a giant virtual reality headset, where groups can enter and view any type of digital content on the walls. Bay County School District* noticed that many teachers weren't incorporating text-based questions into their literature discussions or post-reading activities. To address this, they started a podcast with a counselor, teacher, and student from the school, inviting guests to talk about topics related to the campus such as school meals, concerts, or upcoming lacrosse games.
Podcasts can also help create a sense of community in the school, improving the school climate according to Nemerow from Gainesville High School. Isabel has worked as a principal instructor in Albemarle County Public Schools and as an educational coordinator in Charlottesville, Virginia schools. For instance, recording a podcast series with each episode dedicated to a different staff member who shares their personal story and interests gives families insight into the people educating their children. For teachers who find the idea of students creating their own podcasts daunting, incorporating existing podcasts into teaching is an effective way to increase student engagement according to Donnie Piercey, a fifth-grade teacher from Fayette County School District* in Lexington, Kentucky.
Certain learning experiences such as reading to students have additional considerations in virtual environments. If students are having trouble signing in to StudentVUE, they should contact their school's educational technology (ITC) instructor. Schools can build an audio studio for both students and teachers to create podcasts for the whole school to listen to. Clair Handville is a counselor at the same school where Watts works and helps students produce podcasts and organize their own.
