Active Listening With Podcasts Independent Assessment

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

7

Overview

This activity includes a teacher-created Google Slideshow for assessment of active listening skills with a 30-minute podcast on a high-interest topic, a student note-taking handout, and a Google forms quiz. 

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

After/Explain/Elaborate
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 7

ELA21.7.25

Use active listening to acquire information and assess its relevance and credibility.

UP:ELA21.7.25

Vocabulary

  • Active listening
  • Relevance
  • Credibility

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Active listening skills.
  • Relevant information is connected closely to the topic and purpose of the presentation.
  • Credible information is accurate and reliable.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Listen actively to determine the relevance of a speaker's ideas.
  • Listen actively to determine if the speaker's ideas are credible.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Listening actively can help them determine if the speaker's ideas are relevant and credible to the given occasion.

Learning Objectives

Students will independently demonstrate active listening skills by using a printed handout to take notes and completing a Google Quiz.

Students will identify a first-hand account of events as a credible source of information. 

Activity Details

1) Assign the Google Slides presentation to students.

2) Provide note-taking handouts (or blank paper if preferred).

3) Allow students to listen to the podcast independently and take notes using strategies they have previously learned in class.

4) Assign students the accompanying Google Forms quiz.

Assessment Strategies

Collect the student note pages and review them for accuracy.

Assign the Google Forms Quiz, which consists of two multiple-choice questions and six short-answer questions requiring students to explain their thinking, ask a question about the events that took place, and display an understanding of primary source credibility.

Variation Tips

This episode of the podcast is about a man named Michael who is blind. He escaped from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center tower 1 on September 11, 2001, with the help of his seeing-eye dog, Roselle.

This podcast listening activity could be used in conjunction with other activities related to Patriot Day. 

Background / Preparation

View the Google Slides presentation and listen to the podcast episode.

Print out student notetaking handouts (a link is also included in the slide deck).

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST EDIT SLIDE #4! If you want students to take the Google Forms Quiz, you will have to make a copy of it. You can add a link to that quiz on slide 4, or you can simply delete slide 4 and distribute the quiz in a different way. Instructions for doing this are included on the slide. If you do not edit slide 4, students who click the link will be given access to their own copy of the quiz with suggested answers.

Total Duration

31 to 45 Minutes
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