In LRNT 526, we are exploring a learning technology and related event and conducting a critical inquiry based on our learning experience and research related to the learning technology. Our team has chosen podcasting as our technology and specifically the Ologies podcast by Alie Ward. In this science-based podcast, Alie Ward interviews someone with extensive knowledge or expertise in a particular ‘ology’. As a team, we chose to self-direct our learning individually and experience a different podcast based on our interests. I listened to an episode called Indigenous Fire Ecology (GOOD FIRE) with Amy Christianson. Ward (2021) interviews Christianson in this episode to provide an Indigenous perspective on wildfires as a follow-up to an original fire ecology episode with a more Western science perspective.
As a learning technology, podcasts support formal, non-formal and informal learning and can support access to resources in a flexible learning environment (Gunderson & Cumming, 2022). Furthermore, podcasting, as a supplement to formal learning, can deepen learning and improve overall learning outcomes (Andersen & Dau, 2022). As a consumer of podcasts, I have used podcasts informally to satisfy my curiosity about things I have wondered about and to self-direct learning to enhance my professional and personal life. Non-formally, I have used podcasts to deepen my understanding of complex issues or topics I am learning about in my formal education. I have limited experience with the formal use of podcasts; however, I have received audio updates and audio feedback during formal learning, which is considered a form of podcasting (Moore, 2022). Although podcasts have been beneficial to my learning academically, professionally, and personally, research is limited on the impact of podcasts on learning (Andersen & Dau, 2022; Gunderson & Cumming, 2022). Yet, podcast use in Canada is significant, with 34% of adult Canadians being monthly podcast listeners in 2022 (Loup, 2023).
As someone interested in Indigenous perspectives and worldviews, I have used podcasts and other Open Educational Resources (OERs) to learn about Indigenous knowledge and culture. Although podcasts that share Indigenous knowledge can be beneficial to restoring cultural knowledge that was lost due to colonization and the residential schools, I have been contemplating how Indigenous knowledge and content are being protected and honoured when shared in OERs, particularly given the traditional and sacred nature of oral knowledge in Indigenous culture. During the next few weeks in this course, I plan to explore this topic further and hopefully shed light on how Indigenous knowledge and content is being shared in podcasts, how it supports learning for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, it’s impact on Indigenization and decolonization, and ethical and cultural considerations such as Indigenous knowledge sovereignty and cultural protocol. This topic is meaningful to me as I work with Indigenous communities in my professional role and want to be mindful of open sharing practices and Indigenous worldviews.
I expect that I will have a lot to learn in this area as I begin my research and reflection on this topic. I welcome any feedback or thoughts to consider as I move forward.
References
Andersen, R.H., & Dau, S. (2022). Podcasts: A generator of non-formal learning. European Conference on e-Learning, 21(1), 19-24. https://doi.org/10.34190/ecel.21.1.527
Gunderson, J.L., & Cumming, T.M. (2022). Podcasting in higher education as a component of Universal Design for Learning: A systematic review of the literature. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2022.2075430
Loup, J. (2023, February 3). Podcast listening in Canada: who’s doing it and how often? NLogic. https://inspiration.nlogic.ca/en/podcast-listening-in-canada
Moore, T. (2022). Pedagogy, podcasting, and politics: What role does podcasting have in planning education? Journal of Planning Education and Research, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X221106327
Ward, A. (Host). (2021, August 17). Indigenous fire ecology (GOOD FIRE) with Amy Christianson [Audio podcast episode]. In Ologies. https://www.alieward.com/ologies/goodfire
Hi Megan,
Thanks for reading! To be honest, I have not found a ton of podcasts that discuss this issue specifically, but there are some that consider a more broad approach to epistemic justice in the context of open education and open educational resources. This one in particular, I have listed on my research log that I will be listening to in the coming days: https://knowledgespectrums.opened.ca/
I have found a lot more information in other modalities such as videos, grey literature, and some formal research. So, perhaps a little more challenging to find peer-reviewed research on this topic but I think that is ok given my topic is about Indigenous knowledge sharing which doesn’t fit well within Western or non-Indigenous epistemological frameworks. I am looking forward to a deep dive into the material I have been gathering!
Leah
Hi Leah,
Thanks for sharing! Such an interesting topic on sharing Indigenous knowledge. First thing came into my mind is the connection between openness, privacy and ethic issues. How has your experience been finding podcasts in this topic? Is it more challenging than others? Good luck on your your research!
Megan