Raise Your Voices!

Funded Jul 27, 2021

I am writing to thank you for making podcasts easier and more fun to create in my classroom! I must admit, we had a slow start, but once I got comfortable with the equipment and apps, and once I could figure out what every student could be doing while the equipment was being used, then we were good to go! Some students chose to use their phones for the project, but used the laptop with the editing apps in the classroom. Other students without a working phone or laptop made full use of the classroom equipment. I was so happy that I had this option for them so they would not be left out of the process.

Creative Writing students created podcasts as one of their Portfolio pieces and they could choose any topic and any format after extensively analyzing existing podcasts. One example was how involvement in sports affects academics. Another was if ghosts really exist. And still another was a gossip session about famous stars in the media. They conducted on-the-street interviews (vox pop) and experimented with conversational formats, guest speakers, and panels.

English 11 students were given podcasts as one option in a final Creative Project on borders and identity. About 10 students chose this medium and the results were very powerful. Themes included how living so close to the Mexican/American border affects your identity, and what kinds of barriers are put up by society and what kinds are put up by you.

We all learned so much about podcast production and the equipment so generously gifted to us through the donors of "Donors Choose" made it all possible. Thank you for your support of teachers, of classroom innovation, and most importantly, of our students, who have so much to say and so much to teach us.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Fioramanti