1. For Thursday’s class, get familiar with podcasts by listening to the following podcast. (Note: We will be discussing this podcast in class on 9/18):
Exposing the Mythology of Education Reform
(Podcast) http://education-radio.blogspot.com/2011/09/exposing-mythology-of-education-reform.html
As you listen please complete the following questions:
A. Form: This is a fairly long and obviously “home-made” podcast. What elements of the podcast made the story interesting? Convincing? What happens at the beginning of the podcast? The middle? The end? What would have made the story more interesting or engaging? What ideas or elements might you borrow for your own podcast?
B. Content: How are the positions espoused in this podcast different from those of Brill and many of the other educational reformers that we have read so far? How does the podcast seek to re-frame the school reform issue including the problems school reform is meant to address?
2. For Sunday’s Blog Listen to a really high quality professional podcast.
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/512/house-rules?act=0
Please complete the following questions:
A. Form: Compare this to the more”home-made” podcast. What about the Ira Glass podcast makes it compelling?
B. Content: Reflect on Jada’s experience switching from a poorly funded inner-city school to a well-funded suburban school. What kind of reforms might help address this problem?
3. Learn about what makes a good radio story by reading “Radio: An Illustrated Guide” by Ira Glass of This American Life. This course text costs $2.00 as a PDF download at :
http://store.thisamericanlife.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RADIO%3AANILLUSTRATEDGUIDE
Rather than violate copyright, I would ask you to buy the PDF. Also take a look at the DIY Radio (http://www.radiodiaries.org/diy-radio/) from Radio Diaries for other sources.