Mind the gap: Using podcasts to bridge the divide between education research and classroom practice

Gilmore, S., (2023).

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Abstract:

There exists a significant and consequential divide between educational researchers and education practitioners. The purpose of this persuasive essay is to examine the reasons for this divide through the lenses of attitudes, access, and audience, and argue in favor of a podcast designed for an audience of teachers, based in the Neag School of Education. Drawing on adult learning theory, narrative theory, and comparative international research on teacher demographics and barriers to research engagement, there is evidence that such a podcast could be a valuable tool for synthesizing and communicating research in an accessible and audience-appropriate way, and could be used to support reciprocal and collaborative relationships between researchers and the wider teaching community. While there is a growing body of research on the effectiveness of podcasts as a tool for professional learning in medical education, podcasts as a tool for teacher learning have yet to be studied extensively.