Where to begin with teaching podcasts?

When it comes to podcasts, we have so many to choose from. It can be a little overwhelming, so we’ve done the hard work for you, Brigitte Garozzo writes.

Here are six podcasts we think IEU members of all backgrounds will find valuable, whether it is for improving classroom practice, exploring your style as a school leader, finding out the latest news in education, or just having a laugh.

Talking Teachers

Hosts: Dr Don Carter and Associate Professor Jane Hunter, members of the Life-wide Learning and Education Research Group in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Audience: Anyone working/with an interest in the Australian education and teaching space

Link: https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-arts-and-social-sciences/podcasts/talking-teachers

A podcast series offering new solutions and fresh perspectives on the current issues with education in Australian schools that are not being covered by other media. Each series focuses on a different topic; for example, Series 1 revolved around key themes in education from different points of view within the system, such as via the Australian media, a union standpoint, a former NSW Education Minister, a retired school teacher, a school funding commentator, and an education researcher.

Leadership In Focus

Hosts: Joanne Jarvis, Director, School Leadership Institute, NSW Department of Education

Audience: Leaders in Australian schools

Link: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/school-leadership-institute/research/podcast.

This podcast shines a spotlight on school leaders and explores the key issues and challenges they face. They cover a variety of topics such as: relational trust, emotional intelligence, virtuous leadership, middle leadership, and collective teacher efficacy. They also provide a discussion guide with each episode, which includes discussion points with time stamps, and a reference list.

The Early Education Show

Hosts: Lisa Bryant, Dr Leanne Gibbs, and Liam McNicholas

Audience: Early childhood educators and those interested in the education of young children

Link: www.earlyeducationshow.com/episodes.

Running since 2016, this is a fortnightly podcast looking at the policy, politics, and practice of Australia’s early childhood education sector. They analyse the news of the week, explore topics of professionalism and advocacy in-depth, and do interviews with some big names in the sector. Some podcast themes include: ‘Is social media good or bad for ECEC?’, ‘Expert insights from UOW Early Start’, ‘How do we advocate for free ECEC after COVID-19’, ‘Is too much expected of centre directors?’.

AI in Education

Hosts: Dan Bowen, Beth Worrall, Lee Hickin

Audience: All teachers and school leaders.

Link: https://aipodcast.education.

A fortnightly podcast about Artificial Intelligence in Education – what it is, how it works, and the different ways it is being used. It’s not too serious, or too technical, and is intended to be a good conversation of background information. Some episode titles include: ‘Hacking for good: ideas and tips’, ‘Music, Creativity, and Minecraft’, ‘Is AI creative?’

Wine with Teacher

Host: Ceri Stanford

Audience: Every pre-service, current and retired teacher

Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/wine-with-teacher-podcast/id1496094651.

A fortnightly podcast with a casual and humorous tone. Ceri explores a variety of topics from ‘finding your forever schools’ to ‘what makes a good teacher’. While a more relaxed listen, there are plenty of nuggets of wisdom scattered throughout, alongside reassurance and positive strategies you can employ in the classroom.

Teacher Takeaway

Hosts: Aaron Johnston, Alice Vigors, Rebecca West and James Gray

Audience: All educators

Link: https://teachertakeawaypodcast.weebly.com

This podcast is hosted by four Australian teachers and school leaders. With a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise, they bring all the elements of effective pedagogical practice to the fore in a light-hearted way. They aim to provide educators with practical takeaway ideas to implement in their classroom or school setting. Some topics covered include: ‘Creating culturally inclusive schools’, ‘10 tips for beginning teachers’, and ‘Remote outback teaching’.

The Reflective Teacher

Host: Selena Woodward

Audience: All classroom teachers Link: https://edufolios.org/podcast.

This podcast comes thick and fast, with over 150 episodes available on a range of topics such as ‘Empowering neurodiverse educators’ ‘Is Chat GPT the ultimate teacher’s assistant?’, ‘Giving feedback that feels good’, and ‘Five ways to engage parents and carers in learning’. In addition to great stories and insights, each episode is designed to help you take immediate action with supporting steps, strategies and advice for growing your practice and meeting your admin requirements in one go.

Teacher Wellbeing

Host: Ellen Ronalds Keene

Audience: All educators

Link: www.pod.link/teacherwellbeing

With a spike in career burnout, anxiety and reports of mental health issues, this podcast is looking to inspire educators across the nation to take back control of their health and happiness. Promoting the message of “happy, healthy people being more effective teachers and productive members of society,” these episodes feature real teachers telling real stories of health/wellbeing challenges and successes.

Teacher Magazine (ACER)

Host: Australian Council for Educational Research

Audience: All teachers, principals, and support staff

Link: https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/category/audio

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), a not-for-profit organisation, independent of government and education systems, publish this podcast to help teachers, principals and school staff improve their skills and practices using evidence-based approaches. Episode topics include: ‘Empowering young people to prevent e-cigarette use’, ‘Student agency in school transition’, and ‘Improving students’ financial education’.

Teachers’ Education Review

Hosts: Cameron Malcher (English and Drama teacher), plus guest teachers

Audience: Classroom teachers

Link: https://terpodcast.com

This podcast explores issues and practices in education from the perspective of classroom teachers. They explore the implications of educational policies, teaching practices, and international events that impact on teaching and learning in Australian classrooms. Episode topics include: ‘Multiculturalism and refugees in schools’, ‘Neuroscience and school leadership’, and ‘Teacher workforce and shortages’.