If you haven’t heard of podcasts, chances are you’ve been living under a rock. A podcast is an episodic series of digital audio files that can be downloaded and listened to on a computer or mobile device. With more than 67 million Americans tuning in monthly, podcasts offer commentary on a range of topics, from business to sports to science fiction.
And the vast collection of education podcasts doesn’t disappoint. Teachers, professors and other education experts have “switched on their microphones” to share insights, strategies and inspiration that you can easily incorporate into your program or classroom. Whether you’re a newbie or you’re looking for another podcast to add to your playlist, below are five top-quality podcasts by and for educators:
TEDTalks Education: Hear from the world's greatest educators, researchers and community leaders on transformative ideas, trends and initiatives in education. The most notable talks include Sir Ken Robinson’s “Do schools kill creativity?”, Angela Lee Duckworth’s “Grit: The power of passion and perseverance” and Rita Pierson’s “Every kid needs a champion.” These inspiring talks are designed to motivate educators to think outside the box.
The TeachThought Podcast: With topics such as educational equity, project-based learning and education technology, this podcast has proven to be a great professional development resource for educators in- and outside the classroom. One of the latest episodes features author and thought-leader Grant Lichtman, who discusses how educational change can equip children to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Hooked! Captivating Students: Guests on this show are educators who use innovative approaches to foster deep student engagement. The latest episodes provide tips and strategies to grab and keep students’ attention, to use the arts to teach any subject and to encourage a sense of wonder in students. The ideas shared are helpful for engaging students in any learning environment.
The K12 Engineering Education Podcast: This series focuses on bringing engineering and design education to young kids, and includes a few discussions that provide ideas and insights about offering STEM in after school. In an episode titled, Inside a Startup After School STEM Program, the host chats with the founder of Maker Kids Lab about engaging kids in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM); hands-on, creative lessons provided in the program and her hopes for creating a social impact.
Truth for Teachers Podcast: All educators can use a regular dose of inspiration, and this podcast serves it up weekly. Each episode is created to speak life, encouragement and truth into the minds and hearts of educators. They touch on topics such as teacher burnout, student behavior and time-management, and provide guidance on navigating the challenges and wins of being an educator.
Whether you’re listening on your commute or during your lunch break, podcasts are an excellent source for learning a new skill, expanding your knowledge or simply being entertained. Download one, or more, of these education podcasts to help transform your after school program.
