Digital Storytelling: Podcasts

One excellent option for digital storytelling is podcasts. They are interesting, cover a wide variety of topics, and are available for almost all age groups.1 Some podcasts are conversation-based, but there are many that are story-based, or a blend of the two. In Library and Technology Reports, Nicole Hennig discusses how some podcasts “have paved the way for something else entirely: meticulously crafted feature journalism that, in Alex Blumberg’s words, feels less like a collection of radio segments and more like ‘narrative-driven, textured, sound-rich documentaries.’”1 Indeed, the first major podcast hit, Serial, told a true crime story in weekly installments. In my opinion, the story-like narrative boosted its success just as much as the whodunit at the center.

Personal

I have a lot of personal opinions about storytelling podcasts, but there’s a very good reason for that: I listen to them a lot. I listen to Stories Podcast with my children, a musical podcast that tells  original and classic children's stories. I listen to adult podcasts while driving or running or doing laundry. My favorites are Myths & Legends, which retells ancient myths, and RadioLab, which tells human-interest stories crafted in a way similar to Serial. Some of the podcasts I listen to are really just audiobooks cut into segments. I recently listened to The Little Book of Contentment by Zen Habits blogger Leo Babauta this way.

I used to think it was just me that listened while sweeping the house, but in fact, “one thing people most appreciate is the ability to learn something or be entertained during bits of time where it’s not as convenient to watch videos or read.”1 Convenience is one of the hallmarks of our digital age, and I think that this can help explain podcast’s appeal.

Education

One interesting application of podcasts is their use in classrooms. Serial was used for the summer reading program at Waltham Senior High School in Massachusetts.2 And most surprising is the discovery that “young people benefit from and enjoy reading the transcript while listening to a podcast.”1 However, this mixed-media approach may be preferred by students because “when words are spoken aloud, children can understand ideas that are two to three grade levels higher than their normal reading level.”1 Thus listening to a podcast, as well as being able to read along with it, may help students who would otherwise struggle with the material.

Libraries

Libraries can interact with these story-based podcasts in a variety of ways. They can provide handouts on how to access podcasts, set up meetings to discuss them, or offer workshops on how to create them. Podcast creation can be fairly simple, and it is a great way for patrons to both discuss stories and create their own. Plus, if the time and resources are available, libraries can create podcasts of their own. For some library podcast inspiration, make sure to check out the article  “Hearing Voices,” where Steve Thomas highlights some of the most popular library podcasts.3

If you are interested in learning how to make a podcast, here is How to Start a Podcast by Lavendaire Lifestyle. It’s a little long, but her presentation style is phenomenal and she’s really knowledgeable. And, if you know of any other story-based podcasts, tell me about it in the comments below. I’d love to give it a listen!

Sources

1. Hennig, Nicole. "Why Podcasts?." Library Technology Reports, vol. 53, no. 2, Feb/Mar2017, pp. 5-9. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lxh&AN=121303656&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
2. Brenner, Robin. "One School, One Podcast." School Library Journal, vol. 61, no. 11, Nov. 2015, pp. 26-27. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=110642707&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
3. "Hearing Voices: Librarian-Produced Podcasts." American Libraries, vol. 47, no. 1/2, Jan/Feb2016, pp. 16-17. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=111971438&site=ehost-live&scope=site.