Initially, I was sure that I wanted to use one the following podcast shows: On the Media, Freakonomics, Under
the Influence, and Stuff You Missed in History Class to find a topic that I want to emulate for my own show. I was convinced that I
would be able to find an array of topics on social and cultural issues on those podcast shows. However,
as I browsed through various topics in the aforementioned podcast shows, I did
not find anything that caught my attention. I was interested in creating a
podcast on 1) the caste system in India (and its impact on children and youth),
2) learning disabilities and what it means to be normal, or 3) looking at the
topic of shadism/colourism beyond its colonialist discourse. Unfortunately, I
had an extremely tough time finding any podcast that covered these subjects, as
1) these topics are quite broad and 2) I could not find any podcast on these
topics. Hence, I began looking at different podcast shows and in the midst of
doing so, I came across an interesting topic, titled: "Ungifted:
Intelligence Redefined" on Spark. Nora Young (Interviewer) and Scott Barry
Kaufman (a cognitive psychologist - interviewee) were engaged in a dialogue
about the ways that we currently define "intelligence," and how
labels such as "gifted" or "learning disabled" influence
children's learning and self-esteem. I enjoyed the style of the podcast, and it
was interesting that the topic was presented in the form of an interview.
In terms of creating my own short podcast, I want to
use an "On the Media" style podcast by focusing mainly on the portrayals
of individuals who have learning disabilities or are considered as
"gifted". I want to explore how stereotypes are treacherous, as it creates
an oversimplified image or idea of people's actions and behaviour, which are more
complex and relative than individuals assume. Although, I will be drawing on a
topic that I found on Spark, I want to use an 'On the Media' style podcast for
my show and try to present it in the form of an interview. In my short podcast
episode, I want to review the dangers of labels and discuss its implications in
the realm of education. Moreover, I want to explore how stereotypes have the potential
to further stigmatize a particular group of individuals (who share similar experiences
of marginalization) and thus, may internalize a discourse of being a misfit in
society.
I used SPARK last semester for an assignment that I had to complete, and
I found it extremely helpful. For example, since the assignment for this course
revolves around research (and the process of researching), I had a look at the
"Research" section on SPARK, and it suggests that depending on the
length of the paper, we should have at least 5-8 resources for a shorter paper,
and 8-10 resources for a longer paper. Although, we are not writing an "essay,"
I presume that our transcript for the podcast will be around 5-7 pages
(single-spaced). Hence, I am aim to find at least 5-8 resources so that I do
not overwhelm myself with too much information, which I would not be able to
cover in 15 minutes. Additionally, as I was going through the left panel on
SPARK, the time management bar covered interesting topics and suggestions for
research. I also came across a helpful checklist for assignments: http://www.yorku.ca/spark/time_management/Time%20Management%20-%20Assignment%20Task%20Checklist_Final_Oct4.pdf
In my opinion, websites like SPARK are great for students who are
struggling with topic selection and decision-making, however, I believe that it
is crucial for students to consult with course instructors occasionally to make
sure that they are on the right track.
No comments:
Post a Comment