Constructivist Podcasting Strategies in the 8th Grade Social Studies Classroom: “StudyCasts” Support Motivation and Learning Outcomes

Abstract This qualitative case study explored an eighth-grade social studies classroom where the teacher uses StudyCasts as an instructional strategy with his students. Teacher-led StudyCasts were utilized as a way for his students to remember content for upcoming tests. Additionally, his students created their own StudyCasts in the classroom to review social studies content. The study revealed an increase in student engagement, improved communication skills, and introduced an alternative method to study and prepare for classroom content and summative assessments. This study discussed the benefits and limitations of the use of this technology in the social studies classroom. Currently, a limited amount of studies explore the use of StudyCasts in social studies and middle-level education. This study extends the literature in this emerging area.