The Use and Development of Podcasting as a Technological Tool in Secondary Education in Greece: A Case Study

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to explore how podcasting can be implemented as a supportive technological tool in teaching English as a Second Language. To this aim, the field experiment research was conducted. The study was carried out in a total of 28 pupils of the first grade of high school at an educational institution on Rhodes, Greece in December 2017. The students were assigned into the experimental group (15 students) and the control group (13 students). A statistically significant difference has arisen regarding the contribution of podcasting to the motivation of the students of the two groups. The students of the experimental group believe that English is a very important school subject which can help them in other subjects. Students found the podcasts interesting and helpful and their content attracted their attention, satisfied their needs and was absolutely relevant to the lesson. All learning styles benefited from the educational podcasts, each one of them in a different way. Finally, the current study proposes specific suggestions for the development of podcasting according to different learning styles.

Podcast-Mediated Students Learning English in the Second Grade of Senior High School

“…Thanks to its diverse contents, a podcast can draw students' interest as a digital tool for language learning. The quantity of podcast content positively affects students' motivation (Nikolou & Darra, 2018). Participant 2 stated: "Podcasts have become a very good approach for improving our English.…”

Using podcast for EFL students in language learning

“…The abundance of contents found in podcast has a good impact on students' motivation. Nikolou and Darra (2018) interviewed 28 EFL pupils to conduct a quantitative research about the use of podcast. They concluded that podcast is interesting for the students and it allows them to interact in English with others in the classroom.…”

“…Furthermore, teachers can choose a content which is proper for the students' ability. Nikolou and Darra (2018) found that students expressed that the content on podcast is interesting and helpful. It is also confirmed by a questionnaire research conducted by Farshi (2013) who concluded that learners felt that podcast contents help them to be more motivated in language learning.…”

Sound Matters: Podcasting as a Learning and Teaching Intervention to Enhance Reading and Writing Skills

“…In this chapter student researchers and their lecturer describe a learning and teaching intervention where they used a sonic or sound-based approach, in this case podcasts, to assist in cultivating a nuanced approach for reading and understanding academic articles relating to Ethnomusicology themes. Although there are several studies on language development (Abdi & Makiabadi, 2019;Edirisingha et al, 2007;Nikolou & Darra, 2018) and listening skills expansion (Davydenko, 2021;Gonulal, 2020;Mirza Suzani, 2021) through podcasting, this intervention was aimed at developing specific academic literacy rather than general language skills. Podcasts play an important role in content dissemination and knowledge production at Rhodes University, and specifically at the International Library of African Music (ILAM) where the goals of the institute include community engagement and community-based education.…”