Tech Task #7- Podcasts

Today, I am sharing with you a resource that I would consider using in my future classroom. It is a podcast that contains rich knowledge on Canadian history. Podcasts are a great way to switch-up learning for students, and to provide a different perspective on issues. There are many experts out there that can have so much more knowledge than the teacher on particular issues. This information is compiled in a professional manner through podcasts, and can easily be presented to students. 

 The name of this podcast is The Discover Library and Archives Canada podcast. You can access the episodes by following the link I have provided. 

 

https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/news/podcasts/Pages/podcasts.aspx

These podcast episodes are put together by Library and Archives Canada (LAC). This is a federal source, so you don’t have to worry about the credibility of these episodes when introducing them to your class. You can simply find a topic of interest, and play it to the students. These podcasts typically showcase resources and archived material held by the library, as well as bringing in several expert guests to discuss the topics. Much of the content relates to Canadian culture or Canadian history. These podcasts would be a great introduction piece to various social studies topics, to get students interested. These could also be used to further enrich student learning on particular topics, if the LAC happens to have an episode that aligns well with the classroom teachings. 

 

I have investigated several episodes, all relating to Canada’s involvement in war. Episode 20: Former Enemies Are Now Friends, takes you through the journey of an individual who had grandparents who fought on opposite sides during the First World War; one for Germany and one for Canada. Through this discovery, the listener is able to gain much insight regarding the details of war. 

 

Episode 63: Call to Duty: Canadian Nursing Sisters, is about the contribution of the Nursing Sisters in the First World War. The listener can learn about the over 3000 women volunteers that were on duty during the First Wold War. The podcasts describe the backgrounds of many of the nurses, their qualifications to be able to enlist, what their role was, and gives significant knowledge about what life was like at the time. 

 

Finally, continuing on the war theme, Episode 64 relates to the Avro Arrow. Here, the listener can learn about the Avro Arrow project following the Second World War. This was an extremely advanced aircraft at the time, which could have put Canada as a leader in aerospace research. The podcast looks at why the project was cancelled, and the significance of this in Canada’s history. 

 

There is a brief idea about how these podcasts could be used in a Social Studies classroom to support a theme or unit on war. But there are many other episodes that could work well together or individually for providing content. The episodes are relatively short as well (most are roughly 40 minutes), which allows them to easily fit within one class. Then there could be discussion questions to follow, to assess understanding. 

 

Whether you’re looking for something new to incorporate into an upcoming lesson, or looking for something interesting to have on in the background to relax to in the evening, I would encourage you to check out this podcast and soak up what it has to offer on Canadian history. Enjoy!