Podcasting!

I chose to listen to an NPR podcast about youth violence. This particular podcast describes the shooting of a 15 year old in Chicago just a few months ago. It also reminded me of the honor student who was beaten to death outside his school that occurred earlier this year; these events are horrific and heartbreaking.

School can be a scary place. Growing up can a be a scary experience. But no young person should ever feel unsafe yet it happens all the time. This podcast includes recordings of student and youth reaction. Some say that violence is just a part of life and that they have to accept it. Others are standing up and demanding that society itself not take these tragic events lightly. There are plenty that don’t hit the news and the topic needs attention.

What I like about this podcast is that it is short and concise, yet offers multiple perspectives. I think that this could be used as a jumping off point if played in a classroom. Students could write down initial reactions and then debate about whether or not youth, gang, neighborhood or school violence really can be prevented, stopped or at the very least reduced. This podcast gives enough information to spark a discussion, yet leaves the solution unanswered and unclear. In reality, there is no solution at this time, but I know that students and young people are the key to building one.

In my other graduate courses, podcasts and radio documentaries have been included often. As an English major I appreciate and love the printed word, however I have come to appreciate and honor the power of the spoken word and really hearing people’s voices. I have made my own and have observed students create podcasts and documentaries about themselves and their own lives. It is amazing how powerful these kinds of projects can be. It’s something a formal essay or research paper just can’t do.

While the technology aspect can be tricky, I hope to incorporate podcast type projects in my future teaching. It is such a worthwhile and memorable project. Students can bring to light important topics and they will walk away with a truly meaningful project that amounts to much more than a grade!