This project showcases the design and implementation of an educational media product that amplifies critical conversations in public education. Developed as a graduate-level capstone in educational technology, the podcast project applies instructional design theories to the creation of an audio storytelling platform.

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Project 1: Accessible Learning: Red Pens and Red Flags, Examining Public Education Through Podcasting and Critical Discourse

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• Developed as a podcast-based learning platform, "Red Pens and Red Flags" invites public school professionals to explore the intersection of politics, policy, and pedagogy through firsthand storytelling and reflective dialogue. This series centers on the educator's voice while analyzing how national decisions ripple into the lived realities of classrooms, schools, and communities.

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The Red Pens and Red Flags podcast was informed by the following educational and instructional design theories:

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Learning and Cognitive Frameworks

 

Bloom's Taxonomy (Anderson et al., 2001) – Guided the structure of interview questions and episode topics to promote higher-order thinking, from understanding issues to analyzing policy and evaluating real-world consequences.

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Cognitive Load Theory (Sweller, 1988) – Applied to streamline listener experience with clear narrative structure, audio pacing, and segmenting of content to avoid information overload.

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Universal Design for Learning (Meyer et al., 2014) – Reflected in the multimodal delivery of information: spoken interviews, visual transcripts, episode summaries, and AI-generated imagery that expands access for neurodiverse and multilingual audiences.

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Adult Learning & Evaluation Approaches

 

• Andragogy (Knowles et al., 2015) – Informed the interview approach, privileging educator voice and lived experience, while encouraging reflection and collaborative knowledge building.

• Kirkpatrick Learning Evaluation Model (1996) – Used to structure audience feedback loops through listener surveys and social media engagement to measure impact at multiple levels (emotional response, knowledge gained, change in perception, action taken).

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Accessibility Standards

The podcast adheres to accessibility guidelines by offering complete transcripts, alt-text for visuals, episode descriptions, and content warnings when appropriate. Efforts were made to maintain inclusive language and prioritize the voices of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled educators.

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This project integrates academic theory with creative practice, embodying a commitment to inclusive design, civic engagement, and social justice. The Red Pens and Red Flags podcast serves as a multimedia learning experience and a living archive of educators on the front lines of a rapidly changing educational landscape.

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