Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Pathways Academy 11th and 12th grade English language arts students have been enhancing their learning by creating podcast episodes.
Working with English teacher Corrie Clements and using a recording booth that was created through a collaborative effort at Pathways Academy, the students were able to record podcasts on a topic of their choosing and select the style of podcast – such as talking solo, interviewing someone or hosting a roundtable discussion.
“I just wanted to give students an opportunity for ELA that wasn’t writing another essay,” Clements said. “This project teaches 21st century skills. It provides practice with public speaking and research and allows students to have autonomy on what they’re doing.”
The Herkimer BOCES Pathways Academy focuses on students who have had a difficult time in a traditional school structure or have to catch up on credits but have the ability to get a high school diploma. Pathways Academy classes are project-driven and infuse career and technical education.
Pathways Academy ELA students worked on podcasts throughout April. The projects were for a grade for class, and students also had the opportunity to submit their podcasts to the NPR Student Podcast Challenge.
Entering the NPR Student Podcast Challenge is a great opportunity and aligned with a project Clements wanted to do anyway, she said. Many students listen to podcasts, so recording podcasts helped students stay engaged with the project, she said.
Many people were involved with creating the podcast recording boost. Pathways Academy teacher Adam Spatto’s trades students built the structure, art students created the table design and many other students and staff helped with the effort. Clements said she is so very thankful for all of the support.
“We’ve had some really amazing things happen in this booth,” Clements said. “When we sit down, the students have something to say.”
Students still did writing during the project as part of their preparation, and they also edited the podcasts after recording them.
“The podcasts were by students every step of the way,” Clements said. “We’ve had some silly topics, some fun topics and some really challenging topics.”
One podcast example is that a student interviewed three teachers while playing video games with them and talked about whether they think violence in video games affects behavior. Other students addressed mental health issues.
Pathways Academy junior Kearah Davis, from Herkimer Central School District, interviewed her boyfriend for her podcast, and they talked about relationships.
“My topic was, ‘where I feel most at peace and where is my safe space,’ which is with him,” she said.
Davis said she struggles with expressing herself through both writing and speaking, but she wanted to challenge herself with recording the podcast. Afterward, she felt relieved, proud and excited about it, she said.
Clements said she enjoyed the podcast.
“It was enlightening,” Clements said. “I felt like I learned something.”
Some students created their podcast as a group – such as Pathways Academy juniors Aiden Johnston and Lorenzo Kemp, both from Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District. Their podcast focused on whether adults should be held accountable for criminal actions by minors.
“Adults can have an effect on how children act,” Johnston said.
Johnston enjoyed the experience of recording a podcast.
“It’s more of a discussion than it is an assignment,” Johnston said. “It was fun. It was nerve-racking at first, but once I started talking, I was chill.”
Kemp said he enjoyed the opportunity to do something different from an essay for an English project.
“I liked the talking part and the technology part,” Kemp said.
Pathways Academy senior Trent Linder, from Herkimer Central School District, decided for his podcast to do a cook-off against Pathways Academy senior Aidyn Sellers, from Central Valley Central School District.
“I really love to cook,” Linder said, adding that he cooks at home with his mom and gets the opportunity to cook in his class with Pathways Academy teacher Erica Haver. “I just love it.”
Both students planned to make chicken riggies, New York cheesecake and fried meatballs. Staff members served as the judges for the taste-testing and had a discussion about it on the podcast. It wasn’t hard to get volunteers for that assignment, Linder said.
Practicing for the podcast was helpful, Linder said.
“Once we got going, I said, ‘I’ve got this,’” Linder said. “It feels pretty good. I’m definitely enjoying it.”
Clements said she has seen students having fun with the project and thinks it can become something for younger students to look forward to. “I’ve had a lot of buy in, so hopefully we can keep that momentum going,” Clements said. “We’re hoping this is going to be something we’re going to continue with.”
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Pathways Academy juniors and seniors recently recorded podcasts in their English language arts class with teacher Corrie Clements inside a podcast recording booth built at the school. From left: Pathways Academy junior Kearah Davis, from Herkimer Central School District, Clements, and Pathways Academy juniors Aiden Johnston and Lorenzo Kemp, both from Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Pathways Academy junior Kearah Davis, from Herkimer Central School District, and English teacher Corrie Clements record a podcast in the booth at Pathways Academy as part of an English language arts project.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Pathways Academy senior Trent Linder, from Herkimer Central School District, poses in the Learning Center at Pathways Academy. Linder recorded a cook-off podcast for his English language arts class.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Pathways Academy juniors and seniors recently recorded podcasts in their English language arts class with teacher Corrie Clements inside this podcast recording booth built at the school.