Education podcasts (or “podagogy”) are far from a new phenomenon - Tes Scotland is among those that has been sharing wisdom through this medium for some time. During these informative chats, many a golden nugget of information on a plethora of subjects - everything from a headteacher’s career journey to education secretary and deputy first minister John Swinney talking all things pandemic - has been shared.
However, now, more than ever, educational podcasts have a place to initiate, inspire and invigorate classroom-led practitioner learning and teacher leadership, irrespective of role, status or experience. And here’s why in North Ayrshire we are donning our headphones and joining in...
There are so many ways that podcasting can ignite teacher agency (particularly during the current pandemic). Few could argue against a form of CLPL (career-long professional learning) that is resolutely practitioner-led and relevant to individual perceptions of professional needs. Who hasn’t experienced the malady brought on by an uninspiring but mandatory “tick-box” course? Selecting an inspiring podcast of your choice is a very different experience.
Tes Scotland podcast: Children’s commissioner on Covid
LISTEN: What makes a great teacher?
Podcast: ‘Teachers have a duty to share their great ideas’
My Best Teacher podcast: Cerys Matthews
Podcasts: Why you should encourage your students to host podcasts
Every practitioner can benefit from professional dialogue that excites them, from podcasts that allow them to explore their own practice further through content that resonates with their own teaching and learning contexts. Podcasts also have practical advantages: they can be listened to often, comments deemed irrelevant can be skipped, points that resonate can be revisited as often as you like. Three of the education podcasts we’ve found ourselves revisiting are Becoming Educated (@dnleslie #becomingeducated), All Ways Learning (@WaysLearning), and the Tes Scotland Podcast (@TesScotland).
The power of podcasts in education
Podcasts allow ego-free connections and critical reflection that is safe, delivered as it is in a space and time that best suits the listener. Teachers now have so many podcasts to choose from that will challenge their thinking and strengthen the experiences they offer young people.
Teachers are committed to professional learning and continuous improvement, and podcasts are great for this. And listening to someone informed waxing lyrical, as well as being a welcome stimulus for our own learning, also allows so many new and interesting voices to be heard in an informal and accessible way - there is no sense of hierarchy in a podcast.
Happy listening!
Joanne MacLean and Christine Grace are principal teachers of professional learning and leadership development at North Ayrshire Council
