Rudai 23. Thing 7: Podcasts

I've many friends that regularly listen to podcasts for pleasure, they'll say to me "you should listen to this, you should listen to this", usually I reply "O.k, I definitely will", knowing full well I probably won't.  It's not that I dislike podcasts, it's just I don't know when I'll actually listen to them.  I guess they're similar to the radio, I rarely listen to that, when I do it's usually something to fall asleep to so I don't care if I miss anything.  With a podcast I want to 'see (or hear) what happens'.  I was unemployed for a bit a few years back, during this time I went through a period of listening to cartooning based podcasts.  I had a lot of time on my hands then, don't now... On my commute I like to read .  No headphones at work, students to monitor.  If I'm drawing or working at my desk (at home) music is my preferred companion.  When relaxing indoors I watch TV (or film etc).  I don't drive...

This course is about trying  things and putting them into practice, so from now on I will make an effort to listen to podcasts more frequently for pleasure, it's likely I will come across something that our students will benefit from.  Also I've noticed in past posts that I may sound a bit stuck in my ways. 

I attempted to listen to some podcasts on 'circulating ideas' as suggested, but the links weren't working, maybe it was my computer.... So I decided to do a search for library based podcasts.  I came across a set of instructional podcasts produced by SOAS library.  I listened to some and feel the information presented would be better digested if read, watched on video or presented in the flesh.  The podcasts came across kind of boring...  I can't see myself using podcasts this way at work.

Next I decided to listen a literature podcast, I came across one by The New Yorker of Richard Ford reading his favorite John Cheever story 'Reunion', followed by a brief conversation with Deborah Treisman.  It was great! (and not just because Cheever is my favourite) I am not really a fan of audio books, but feel a short story works as a podcast, especially when it is discussed afterwards.  This particular story is very short which is perfect as my mind does tends to wander, hence not being a fan of audio books.

I also listened to Gary Shteyngart read Lorrie Moore and David Means reads Raymond Carver.  Both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I feel the format of having a short story followed by a discussion works well, I will definitely being promoting short story podcasts to our students. 

I have also began to gather together some educational podcasts that I feel our students will find useful, sourcing them from places like BBC, Examstutor and Podology. I will display links to these on the LRC resource site.

So my second go at podcasts has been a success, guess that's one more reason for me to learn to drive.