Using Pod Casts of Using Pod Casts of Holocaust Survivors Holocaust Survivors

to Teach about the to Teach about the HolocaustHolocaust

Maryann McLoughlin, Maryann McLoughlin, Ph.D.Ph.D.

Stockton College’s Stockton College’s Holocaust Resource Center Holocaust Resource Center

Assistant Supervisor Assistant Supervisor Writing and Literature Professor at StocktonWriting and Literature Professor at Stockton

Pod CastPod Cast

http://titania.stockton.edu/holocaust

Fanny LesserFanny Lesser

What is a Pod Cast?What is a Pod Cast?

Definition and Tools of the TradeDefinition and Tools of the Trade

Definition: Pod CastDefinition: Pod Cast

From From PC MagazinePC Magazine iPOD + broadCAST = pod castiPOD + broadCAST = pod cast ““an audio broadcast that has been converted to an an audio broadcast that has been converted to an

mp3 file or other audio file format for playback in mp3 file or other audio file format for playback in a digital music player or computer”a digital music player or computer”

Many are “syndicated” so you can “subscribe” and Many are “syndicated” so you can “subscribe” and automatically receive new episodesautomatically receive new episodes

Definition:Definition:Enhanced Pod CastEnhanced Pod Cast

Pod Cast = AudioPod Cast = Audio Enhanced Podcast = Visual Images + AudioEnhanced Podcast = Visual Images + Audio http://titania.stockton.edu/chinahina

What are the basic steps What are the basic steps to making a pod cast and to making a pod cast and the required pod casting the required pod casting

tools?tools?

Tools of Pod CastingTools of Pod Casting Step One: Hardware to Make RecordingStep One: Hardware to Make Recording

Digital RecorderDigital Recorder iPod (can buy an accessory to turn your iPod into a digital recorder)iPod (can buy an accessory to turn your iPod into a digital recorder) Computer (most computers have a built in microphone and recorder)Computer (most computers have a built in microphone and recorder) iRiver MP3 recorderiRiver MP3 recorder

Marantz, etc. Marantz, etc. Width: 4.5 in. (113 mm) Width: 4.5 in. (113 mm)

Height: 1.9 in. (47 mm)Height: 1.9 in. (47 mm)

Depth: 7.2 in. (183.5 mm)Depth: 7.2 in. (183.5 mm)

Weight: 1.1 lbs. (0.5 kg)Weight: 1.1 lbs. (0.5 kg)

Tools of Pod CastingTools of Pod Casting

Step Two: Software to Edit RecordingStep Two: Software to Edit Recording Mac: Garage BandMac: Garage Band

PC & Mac: AudacityPC & Mac: Audacity

Tools of Pod CastingTools of Pod Casting

Step Three: Software to Listen to Your Step Three: Software to Listen to Your RecordingRecording iTunesiTunes

Real Player, etc.Real Player, etc.

Tools of Pod CastingTools of Pod Casting

Step Four: Hardware and Software to Post Step Four: Hardware and Software to Post Your Pod CastYour Pod Cast Required: Internet Access & a ComputerRequired: Internet Access & a Computer Required: A “home” for your pod castRequired: A “home” for your pod cast

WebpageWebpage BlogBlog WebCTWebCT iTunesiTunes

How did my pod casts originate?How did my pod casts originate? We can adapt technology to appeal to We can adapt technology to appeal to

today’s students. Think of the reality today’s students. Think of the reality shows that students listen to. Sometimes shows that students listen to. Sometimes they don’t know what is real and what is they don’t know what is real and what is a fictionalized adaptation. a fictionalized adaptation.

Pod casts bring Holocaust history alive Pod casts bring Holocaust history alive and put faces on the six million.and put faces on the six million.

Richard Stockton College of NJRichard Stockton College of NJHolocaust Resource CenterHolocaust Resource Center

In May 1987 President Vera King Farris In May 1987 President Vera King Farris established the Holocaust Resource Center at established the Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton State College. From its inception the Stockton State College. From its inception the Holocaust Resource Center has been a joint Holocaust Resource Center has been a joint project of the college and the Jewish project of the college and the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties.Counties. The center began by recording The center began by recording video oral histories of Holocaust survivors.video oral histories of Holocaust survivors.

Minor in Holocaust and Genocide Minor in Holocaust and Genocide StudiesStudies

The Coordinator of this minor is Dr. Carol Rittner The Coordinator of this minor is Dr. Carol Rittner with a faculty of 13 plus the Ida E. King with a faculty of 13 plus the Ida E. King Distinguished Visiting Professor.Distinguished Visiting Professor.

In the academic year fall 2007—fall 2008, In the academic year fall 2007—fall 2008, approximately 600 undergraduate students enrolled in approximately 600 undergraduate students enrolled in Holocaust and Genocide Studies classes. We offer Holocaust and Genocide Studies classes. We offer an average of 9 courses a semester.an average of 9 courses a semester.

I teach in this program as well as in the Masters of I teach in this program as well as in the Masters of Art in Holocaust and Genocide Studies.Art in Holocaust and Genocide Studies.

•Master of ArtsMaster of Artsin Holocaust & Genocide Studiesin Holocaust & Genocide Studies

Master of Arts Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies in Holocaust and Genocide Studies

(MAHG)(MAHG)

The Chair of the MAHG Program is Dr. Carol The Chair of the MAHG Program is Dr. Carol Rittner with a faculty of eight.Rittner with a faculty of eight.

The MAHG Program is committed to the teaching The MAHG Program is committed to the teaching of the study of the Holocaust and other genocides of the study of the Holocaust and other genocides and to teaching the lessons that can be derived from and to teaching the lessons that can be derived from such study. The goal of the MAHG Program is to such study. The goal of the MAHG Program is to learn about the past for the sake of the future.learn about the past for the sake of the future.

Holocaust Resource CenterHolocaust Resource Center I have guided Holocaust survivors in a project titled I have guided Holocaust survivors in a project titled Writing as Writing as

WitnessWitness. Since its inception in 2003, fourteen memoirs have . Since its inception in 2003, fourteen memoirs have been published, some of them with teacher’s guides. been published, some of them with teacher’s guides.

An off-shoot of these the oral history project and memoirs are An off-shoot of these the oral history project and memoirs are these pod casts that I learned to create last summer in a Tech these pod casts that I learned to create last summer in a Tech Academy sponsored and funded by Stockton’s Office of the Academy sponsored and funded by Stockton’s Office of the Provost, Dr. David Carr. I have been recording and creating Provost, Dr. David Carr. I have been recording and creating these pod casts since August 2007. Many of these pod casts these pod casts since August 2007. Many of these pod casts are 15 minutes long—a reasonable time for people’s attention are 15 minutes long—a reasonable time for people’s attention span.span.

Because of my work with Holocaust survivors and their Because of my work with Holocaust survivors and their memoirs, I know their stories and know on what part of their memoirs, I know their stories and know on what part of their stories I want them to focus.stories I want them to focus.

Why did I want to create Why did I want to create these pod casts?these pod casts?

Aging Holocaust survivor population; many are in Aging Holocaust survivor population; many are in their late 80s and early 90s.their late 80s and early 90s.

Many are ill and/or frail.Many are ill and/or frail. Increasingly difficult for them to come to the Increasingly difficult for them to come to the

classroom to speak to students.classroom to speak to students. We have had a number of deaths in our community in We have had a number of deaths in our community in

the past year—seven Holocaust survivors have died the past year—seven Holocaust survivors have died in just the past year. Indeed, Fanny Lesser, the in just the past year. Indeed, Fanny Lesser, the woman you initially listened to died on February 13.woman you initially listened to died on February 13.

These pod casts are one way that students can hear These pod casts are one way that students can hear these Holocaust survivors.these Holocaust survivors.

Audience for Pod CastsAudience for Pod Casts Students in my Women and Genocide, Students in my Women and Genocide,

Literature of Genocide and Upheaval, Literature of Genocide and Upheaval, Music and the Holocaust, and MAHG Music and the Holocaust, and MAHG Literature of the Holocaust Literature of the Holocaust

Students in other Holocaust and Students in other Holocaust and Genocide courses—undergraduates and Genocide courses—undergraduates and graduates, and not only students at graduates, and not only students at Stockton College.Stockton College.

Responses from my students Responses from my students

Reading about the Holocaust is one thing, but when Reading about the Holocaust is one thing, but when you listen to the actual voice of a survivor on a pod you listen to the actual voice of a survivor on a pod cast, one who actually experienced the Holocaust, it cast, one who actually experienced the Holocaust, it felt so much more real. It was chilling. —Laurafelt so much more real. It was chilling. —Laura

Listening to Rosalie describe the deaths of her family Listening to Rosalie describe the deaths of her family members was very emotional. . . . . Listening to these members was very emotional. . . . . Listening to these pod casts of the personal experiences of Holocaust pod casts of the personal experiences of Holocaust survivors has enriched my understanding. —Meggensurvivors has enriched my understanding. —Meggen

I have never heard an actual account of an Auschwitz I have never heard an actual account of an Auschwitz prisoner, so I felt lucky to hear Rosalie. –Katrina prisoner, so I felt lucky to hear Rosalie. –Katrina

I found this pod cast to be unique from the other ones that we I found this pod cast to be unique from the other ones that we have listened to because she talks about the time after have listened to because she talks about the time after liberation. I had never thought about survivors’ perceptions liberation. I had never thought about survivors’ perceptions after liberation. Lesser talks about people who even after after liberation. Lesser talks about people who even after liberation hid food under their mattresses to save for the next liberation hid food under their mattresses to save for the next day. —Danaday. —Dana

It amazed me how much different I felt when I heard the It amazed me how much different I felt when I heard the stories come from a person who had experienced the stories come from a person who had experienced the Holocaust. Just to hear the sound of her voice, the devastation Holocaust. Just to hear the sound of her voice, the devastation in it when she talked left an impact. The pod cast made the in it when she talked left an impact. The pod cast made the stories come to life to hear some one speak them rather than stories come to life to hear some one speak them rather than reading them. —Keri reading them. —Keri

To hear a survivor’s story first-hand brings new depths. The To hear a survivor’s story first-hand brings new depths. The anguish and pain is in the stories and makes it more like your anguish and pain is in the stories and makes it more like your grandmother’s story as opposed to text book knowledge. grandmother’s story as opposed to text book knowledge.

— —TiannaTianna This is a remarkable pod cast. It is so much more real to a This is a remarkable pod cast. It is so much more real to a

person hearing the survivor’s voice and not just reading their person hearing the survivor’s voice and not just reading their stories. It truly is heart-breaking hearing her voice tremble. stories. It truly is heart-breaking hearing her voice tremble. —Kat —Kat

First of all, I would like to say I like being able to hear the pod First of all, I would like to say I like being able to hear the pod casts of these survivors, so thank you for making them casts of these survivors, so thank you for making them available to us. . . . . This was a good learning experience for available to us. . . . . This was a good learning experience for me and I greatly look forward to listening to the rest of the me and I greatly look forward to listening to the rest of the survivors share their stories. —Regina survivors share their stories. —Regina

I like hearing Mr. Goldfarb’s story rather than reading it. The I like hearing Mr. Goldfarb’s story rather than reading it. The pod cast is much more personal. It is not just words written, for pod cast is much more personal. It is not just words written, for when he is upset, you can hear him being upset. It is interesting when he is upset, you can hear him being upset. It is interesting to hear an actual survivor tell his story, even the digressions. It to hear an actual survivor tell his story, even the digressions. It makes it as if you are there in the room, like a fly on the wall. It makes it as if you are there in the room, like a fly on the wall. It is a comfortable setting with him just talking as if he is among is a comfortable setting with him just talking as if he is among friends. I liked hearing the back story anyway. I just generally friends. I liked hearing the back story anyway. I just generally like hearing people talk about their past history. I especially like like hearing people talk about their past history. I especially like hearing people who talk about the Holocaust because there hearing people who talk about the Holocaust because there aren’t that many people left to talk about this. The digressions aren’t that many people left to talk about this. The digressions help you understand more about who he is. He is not just a help you understand more about who he is. He is not just a survivor. He lived before the Holocaust, and after. I could have survivor. He lived before the Holocaust, and after. I could have listened for longer. Any survivor that tells his or her story is of listened for longer. Any survivor that tells his or her story is of value. Anything the survivor has to say about the Holocaust is value. Anything the survivor has to say about the Holocaust is worthy of hearing. –Theresaworthy of hearing. –Theresa

Follow Up after Pod CastsFollow Up after Pod Casts

This semester I brought Rosalie Simon in to This semester I brought Rosalie Simon in to talk with my class. The class had first listened talk with my class. The class had first listened to her pod cast. When she came in, the class to her pod cast. When she came in, the class asked her questions that the pod cast had left asked her questions that the pod cast had left them with.them with.

I had planned to bring in Fanny Lesser also but I had planned to bring in Fanny Lesser also but she died on February 13she died on February 13thth..

Response after Response after Rosalie Simon’s Class VisitRosalie Simon’s Class Visit

I wanted to say that it was such a nice experience I wanted to say that it was such a nice experience having Rosalie in class today. I think it makes it having Rosalie in class today. I think it makes it more real for everyone, being able to see her more real for everyone, being able to see her reactions in her facial expression and hear the reactions in her facial expression and hear the inflection of her voice when answering the questions inflection of her voice when answering the questions that we had. It was nice to see that she had a sense of that we had. It was nice to see that she had a sense of humor about her, and how even though you could tell humor about her, and how even though you could tell that it was a sensitive subject for her and that she was that it was a sensitive subject for her and that she was mildly bitter about some things, she still has a very mildly bitter about some things, she still has a very kind heart.—Kathleenkind heart.—Kathleen

Other Uses for Pod CastsOther Uses for Pod Casts

Information—review or pre-view of lessonsInformation—review or pre-view of lessons BloggingBlogging Posting a poem and having students respondPosting a poem and having students respond Have students post their own poems on a blog Have students post their own poems on a blog

and comment on their peers’ poems.and comment on their peers’ poems.

Questions?Questions?

Pod casting Projects:Pod casting Projects:http://titania.stockton.edhttp://titania.stockton.edu/holocaust u/holocaust

http://titania.stockton.edu/chinahttp://titania.stockton.edu/china

ConclusionConclusion Pod casts are a valuable resource whether Pod casts are a valuable resource whether

teaching about the Holocaust or some other teaching about the Holocaust or some other subject.subject.

I encourage you to learn to make pod casts for I encourage you to learn to make pod casts for your courses.your courses.

I invite you to access my pod casts if you are I invite you to access my pod casts if you are teaching about the Holocaust.teaching about the Holocaust.