Audio files are files containing the spoken word, without a video, that addresses the need for

some students to learn auditorily. There is some evidence that learning styles are based on
subjective rather than objective factors. Knoll calls them learning preferences. (Knoll, 2017)
Hamdanis research called them learning styles (Hamdani, 2014)
But whatever term is used, both authors agree that students must be engaged in active learning,
and to do this, educators must adjust their pedagogy to their students preferences.
What is the difference between an audio file and a podcast? An audio file is embedded in your
website and listeners go to your site and listen, or download and listen to the audio file. Podcasts
are a series of audio files that listeners subscribe to.
Audio files and podcasts can be used in
the classroom in an additional or
augmentative way to add to content
instruction. This means of instructions
supports auditory learners. Special
education students with shorter attention
spans can listen to the files at a time when their
energy is more contained, or at a time
where they are active and listening.
Visualizing a story is a research based
methodology proven to increase
comprehension in students with autism
and ADHD. (Bednarz, 2017) (Bell, 2016)
(Davidson, 2014) (Knoll, 2017)
Educational Podcasts

http://www.npr.org/sections/education/
these podcasts can be used by
students, teachers and
community members to present
a different point of view and
can inspire conversations that
require higher order thinking,
requiring students to access
their previous understanding
and potentially changing the
way that they think about a
subject. These podcasts can
draw in community members in ways that were not available previously. I have learned
how much information is out there, and how exciting it can be to add to my curriculum.
 Student friendly podcasts what I
learned. The future of book reports is
forever changed. Student enjoy listening to
their own voice, and will re-record if
necessary if it sounds off, where they may
be reluctant to re-write their book report.
During class, I also learned to be
careful upfront when looking for music
and to go to compliant websites in the
beginning.
What you will hear when you listen
to my podcast is instruction to my students
and to parents curious about what the
assignment is. They are in effect
participating in a flipped classroom
strategy as they listen to the podcast and
direct themselves to the content after
school hours.

Some ideas and websites:

www.squarespace.com
www.educationworld.com
www.buzzsprout.com
www.educatorstechnology.com
when evaluating UDL and its influence on my classroom instruction and support of
students, all instruction must be designed with the needs of my students in mind, from
ESOL, special education, regular education, and gifted. Students have preferences or
styles of learning, and each style needs to be incorporated into the lesson instruction and
delivery.

Bibliography
Bednarz, M. M. (2017). "Decoding vs. Comprehension" Brain Responses underlying reading
comprehension in children with autism. Brain and Language, 39-47.
Bell. (2016). The Science of Improved Language Comprehension. The Exceptional Parent, 30-
36.
Davidson, W. (2014). Characterization and Prediction of Early Reading Abilities in Children on
the Autism Spectrum . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 828-845.
Hamdani. (2014). Exploring Learning Styles at a Gulf University: A Contributing Factor to
Effective Instruction. International Technology , 124-128.
Knoll. (2017). Learning Styles, Judgements of Learning, and Learning of Verbal and Visual
Information. British Journal of Psychology, 544-563.