Enhancing civic engagement through podcasting: a modern approach for higher education

Abstract

ABSTRACT Civic Education in higher education often struggles with student disengagement, largely due to traditional, less interactive teaching methods. This study explores the integration of podcasts as an innovative tool to enhance civic engagement among students. Grounded in andragogical principles, podcasts offer a dynamic platform for active participation, fostering critical discussions and reflections on pressing social issues. Conducted within the Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Culture at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this research involved students from the English Education Program and employed a qualitative descriptive approach to assess the impact of podcasts on critical thinking, collaborative learning, and the understanding of civic concepts and social responsibility. The findings indicate that podcasts significantly enrich the learning experience, equipping students to become more critical, socially conscious citizens who actively contribute to societal change. This study contributes to the field by highlighting the effectiveness of innovative teaching strategies in Civic Education, particularly the use of podcasts to strengthen civic engagement and social responsibility in higher education. The implications of this research underscore the need for educators to adopt more engaging and interactive methods, thereby equipping students with the essential skills and knowledge to actively participate in civic life and address social issues effectively.