Using podcasts to aid communication for learners from Black African heritage
Sixteen year 9 learners from Black African heritage collaborated to develop podcasts about Higher Education (HE) as part of Go Higher West Yorkshire’s (GHWY) Go Higher Presents Programme.
The young people, who are studying at a local school, were joined by student ambassadors from the Universities of Bradford and Leeds at Helix, a professional digital space at University of Leeds, on 8 May.
Learners interviewed ambassadors in small groups to produce three podcasts that focus on what it is like to study at HE. Learners and ambassadors alike took charge in using professional studio equipment, organising the final takes and being the stars of their productions. Listen to the podcasts.
Co-creation was at the heart of the activity. Learners and student ambassadors worked together to operate the equipment and to plan their podcasts. This fostered a comfortable and trusting space so that honest and supportive conversations would flow. As a result, the learners and ambassadors had time and space to build relationships on the day.
Another key element to make the session such a success was hosting in a professional creative space. Helix staff members demonstrated equipment in a straight-forward yet engaging way, such as showing participants where to position themselves with the mics to get the best recordings. Learners found it exciting to have the opportunity to learn new skills from the professionals.
A student ambassador said that the Go Higher Presents activity gave learners, “new skills like planning and undertaking a podcast. But it [also] gave the chance for them to navigate around the university and ask any question in an informal way, where with time they felt more comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions.
“This activity is a really good way to keep young learners engaged in education but also allows them to learn more about different stages of education like HE. Because it is not too explicit in explaining the benefits of going to university it balances learning and engagement.”
More about the Go Higher Presents Programme
Now in its fourth year of delivery, the Go Higher Presents programme is aimed at learners aged 12-18 in GHWY target schools and colleges in West Yorkshire. It is funded through the Uni Connect programme.
If you would be interested in delivering Go Higher Presents, we have published the materials for free. Access the learning materials.
Read more about the impact of the programme in our 2022-23 impact report.
If you would like to discuss Go Higher Presents, for example CPD around using the learning materials or evaluation findings in your work, please contact us on ghwy@admin.ac.uk
Jenny Scannell, GHWY Project Manager and Officer
