Cable's Leaders in Learning: In Their Own Words

Interview with Eric Langhorst. [MP3, 8.1 MB]

Eric Langhorst found a way to enhance his history curriculum, make learning more authentic for his students, and collaborate and share materials with teachers around the globe. Langhorst developed 15 to 20-minute podcasts, called "StudyCasts," in which he discusses study guides for upcoming tests. Students are able to download the "StudyCasts" from the classroom Web site, receive additional subject content and study review sessions for tests. In addition, Langhorst often integrates material from the Discovery Channel, A&E, the History Channel and CNN Student News into his lessons. Langhorst's other podcast, "Speaking of History," focuses on effective uses of technology and resources in the junior high classroom. Teachers from around the world have flocked to it. In the last six months, the "Speaking of History" podcast Web site has been accessed by people from all 50 states and 78 countries worldwide, with more than 6,000 individual downloads of podcasts and 18,000 page views. Langhorst plans to expand his podcasts next year to include more student-created content, including interviews with local officials, book reviews, and audio walking tours of Liberty's historic downtown square. In 2005 Langhorst was awarded a Teaching with Cable Award from the Missouri Cable Telecommunication Association.