Name of Podcast: TEDtalks: Sonia Shah, 3 Reasons Why We Haven't Gotten Rid of Malaria
Justification for Watching the Podcast: Okay, okay, I realize that this is not a cutting-edge podcast that nobody has ever heard of that I am bringing to the forefront of our I4ED class for everyone to expose themselves to for the very first time, so that they may bask in the wondrous benefits of such a valuable, yet previously unknown resource. But I have honestly not watched a lot of TEDtalks, considering my career plan revolves around becoming an educator. So I watched one. And it was good. And I liked it.
Description of Podcast: This particular TEDtalk was about Malaria, and the three reasons Ms. Shah maintains are behind its continuance: 1) Scientific (the Malaria parasite is one nasty little bugger, since it has 7 life stages, and two hosts - mosquitos and humans, of course - so it is very hard to find a cure and/or prevention that will combat each of these hosts and life stages), 2) Economic (the countries with the most Malaria are the countries with the poorest economic situations, so it is difficult to raise awareness for the disease and its treatment/prevention, as well as to market and distribute its cures), and 3) Cultural (the people who live in Malarial countries are so very used to the disease - since it is so prevalent and affects so many people that the death toll does not appear shocking to them - that they view it as a natural part of life, similar to how we view a common cold or flu). Because of these three factors, but primarily because of the third, Shah advocates for "attacking the disease according to the priorities of the people who live with it" - meaning, attacking their living conditions, such as bad roads and houses, a lack of running water, drainage and electricity, and rural poverty, rather than attacking the actual disease. She maintains that the best form of prevention is changing the conditions within which Malarian mosquitos thrive, rather than changing the cultural view on Malaria itself. Very insightful, if you asked me.
Why I liked the Podcast: I liked this podcast because it was informative, well-reasoned and insightful, yet short and to-the-point. Shah made a convincing argument based on research and scientific evidence, and presented it in a way that was intriguing and engaging. These are all features that would be necessary for high school students (or students of any age, for that matter) to get the most out of a podcast as a classroom resource.
How I can use the Podcast in my Classroom: I would definitely use this in a Grade 11 or 12 Biology class - maybe even in a regular science class, since Malaria is a huge global issue (hehe I guess I could also use it in a Global Issues class, like the one Trent taught during our last student teaching experience, or in a History class, for that matter). It could be used to promote class discussion about the history, persistence, and future of the disease, as well as an introduction to a larger student-lead inquiry or design project based specifically around Malaria, or generally around a different global disease or world issue.
An Activity Wherein Kids' Could Make their own Podcast: Kids could make their own podcast in virtually (pun intended) every class, every subject, and every topic. It would be a simple, quick, creative, hands-on, and writing-free (bonus, since most assignments seem to be written) way for students to express their learning, and it would give them some freedom to add their own little quirks, be it via their humour, editing, or simply their voices!
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