Podcast

Podcast

Suitable for Steps 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10

Duration

One to several hours

Material Needed

Access to internet, recording technology

Group size

Groups of not more than four

Objective

To help learners explore a topic through group discussions, prepare a structured text or script, record it as an audio programme, and present it to others via suitable equipment or digital platforms.

Description

Introduce the topic to the class and ask learners to prepare podcasts. A podcast is essentially a talk or interview in audio format.

For this:

  1. Divide the class into four and allocate topic or sub-topics
  2. Explain that each group has to search for information, discuss among themselves for how to structure the information, prepare a script and finally record the speech or audio in a suitable style.
  3. The digitally produced podcast may be uploaded to the internet or shared among a closed learning group.
Notes

  1. The central problem must be clear to the panel members.
  2. One of the panel members must be a moderator who seeks views or opinions from panellists.
  3. Select panellists appropriately, based on the problem to be discussed.
  4. Panellists must be thoroughly briefed as regards their roles and possible opinions.
  5. If you follow the strict procedure of a debate, the consensus reached by panellists must be respected, while in a discussion or learning situation it may remain open.
  6. The teacher should ensure that the audience or rest of the learners are aware of the main conclusion at the end.
Contribution to Systems Thinking competence

Learners are trained for individual and group work to prepare and share structured explanations of complex topics.

Example

Many subtopics of either cotton jeans or potato chips, their production, advertisement, supply, or global trade can be chosen as the topics for podcasts.