Podcasting design as an alternative to develop new media literacies with 21st century students

This senior thesis will describe the findings of a study conducted at a private Catholic school in Envigado, Colombia regarding the use of podcasts as an alternative to develop new media literacies in the classroom and to improve student’s performance in a second language; in this case, it will be English. This study was conducted with sixth grade students. These students were categorized in two groups (6th a) and (6th z). First, the thesis briefly introduces the idea of podcast design, followed by the problem statement which brings to light the issue of not accounting new media literacies in the Colombian setting. Then, all theory regarding literacy will be shown and how it was integrated with particular work. Later, the execution process of the design of podcasts will be presented along with student samples and experiences. Finally, the author will present some pedagogical challenges ahead, especially, for the field of new media literacies.

La presente tesis plantea los hallazgos de un estudio realizado en una escuela católica privada en Envigado, Colombia acerca del uso de podcasts como alternativa para desarrollar nuevas literacidades mediáticas en el aula y mejorar el desempeño de los estudiantes en una segunda lengua; en este caso, será en inglés. Este estudio se realizó con estudiantes de sexto grado. Estos estudiantes fueron categorizados en dos grupos (6º a) y (6º z). Inicialmente, esta tesis expondrá una corta introducción para embarcarnos en la idea de diseño de podcasts, seguida del estado del problema el cual trae a la luz la problemática del no reconocer las literacidades mediáticas en el contexto colombiano.