Through this podcast, I wanted my listeners to be able to interpret the objects in my bag to help them understand me on a personal and professional level. I chose to use this mode of communication as podcasts and ebooks are becoming more popular lately. I also wanted to challenge myself to create a mode of communication that I have not tried before.<\/p>\n
In my classroom, I have a student who just discovered they have a significant hearing impairment, and using audio as a form of communication has made me more aware of how I approach teaching and how I deliver information. I’ve had to adjust my teaching lens to ensure that my lessons are accessible to him. For example, I provide written transcripts when I use podcasts for our novel study unit \u00a0This ensures that my student can follow along with the content and doesn’t miss out on important information.<\/p>\n
There are many benefits to using audio as a form of communication. Firstly, I think that it keeps the listener engaged and interested. I tried to achieve this by using different tone of voice and sound effects. I did so by accompanying my voice with sound effects from the BBC Sound Effect Archive -a great resource if you are ever teaching descriptive writing. This approach not only aids in comprehension but also \u00a0encourages listeners to think critically about how sound influences perception and storytelling.<\/p>\n
Some potential challenges of using audio as a mode of communication is that it can cause confusion rather than connection. For example, there were a few times where I started talking and then found myself rambling or struggling to describe something clearly. Unlike writing, where I can pause, edit, and refine my message, audio doesn’t offer that flexibility. This can make it harder for listeners to follow along. Therefore, listening to audio might not be as easy to understand as text for some individuals. According to Dobson and Willinsky (2009), it is essential to consider this when designing appropriate learning spaces for all.<\/p>\n
This assignment has shed light onto how I should consider a variety of media when teaching my diverse students. Mode bending is a beneficial way educators can strive to meet the needs of their students. As the New London Group (1996) emphasizes, altering our learning spaces for the students and not the other way around, we can improve student engagement, enjoyment, connection and communication because they will have a deeper understanding of the content.<\/p>\n
References:<\/p>\n
Dobson, T., & Willinsky, J. (2009). Digital literacy<\/a> Download Digital literacy<\/span><\/a><\/span>. In D. R. Olson & N. Torrance (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of literacy <\/em>(pp. 286-312). Cambridge University Press.<\/p>\n New London Group. (1996). A pedagogy of multiliteracies: Designing social futures. (Links to an external site.) Harvard Educational Review 66(1), 60-92.<\/p>\n