Using Podcasts in School Based Health Practices
In another conversation with my friend Barbara, the school based health physician assistant, she was telling me of another myth she encountered. (See previous post for background). Another patient thought she was pregnant because she had three periods that month. Her reasoning was that the pregnancy triggered the periods to make room for the coming baby.
Barbara's school, like many high schools, has an audio/visual department that produces their "Morning News" programs. I suggested that Barbara purchase a QuickPodcast account, script the interviews, and have a student ask her leading questions. The interview would go about thirty minutes. She could easily produce a number of shows covering different topics, thus dispelling the "myths" that students believe about any number of health related issues.
Barbara was skeptical. She wanted to know if kids would actually listen or even if they had the ability to do so. I explained to Barbara that teenagers are much more computer literate than our generation. I asked how many kids are walking around the hallways with an MP3 player of some kind (i pod, zune, phone with a MP3 player in it, etc.) I saw the light bulb turn on. She just realized the following:
To learn more about QuickPodcasts, click here.
Shannon Fields,
Orange Jacket Web Design, LLC
Barbara's school, like many high schools, has an audio/visual department that produces their "Morning News" programs. I suggested that Barbara purchase a QuickPodcast account, script the interviews, and have a student ask her leading questions. The interview would go about thirty minutes. She could easily produce a number of shows covering different topics, thus dispelling the "myths" that students believe about any number of health related issues.
Barbara was skeptical. She wanted to know if kids would actually listen or even if they had the ability to do so. I explained to Barbara that teenagers are much more computer literate than our generation. I asked how many kids are walking around the hallways with an MP3 player of some kind (i pod, zune, phone with a MP3 player in it, etc.) I saw the light bulb turn on. She just realized the following:
- If a student is doing the interview, other students - a group of friends at the very least - will listen to the podcast.
- They do not have to listen on the computer, they can download it to their MP3 player and listen any time.
- Students can get community service for helping with the interviews.
- Podcasts can be coordinated with the entire health and science department at Barbara's school. Listening to the podcasts can become part of the teacher's lesson plans. Students can answer questions pertaining to the podcast as part of their assignment.
To learn more about QuickPodcasts, click here.
Shannon Fields,
Orange Jacket Web Design, LLC
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