Students now have access to more opportunities in digital literacy. The Writing, Language, and Digital Composing Center has introduced its own podcasting studio.
The studio is home to a podcast led by one of Texas A&M-San Antonio University’s own faculty.
Podcasts are available virtually everywhere and Dr. Elena Foulis, assistant professor of Spanish and director of the heritage speaker language program, is paving the way and encouraging students to explore digital literacy.
Foulis started her podcast “Latino Stories” in 2017 at Ohio State University as part of an oral history project.
“I wanted to engage in conversations that go beyond just what it’s like to grow up in a particular time or space,” Foulis said, “Last year when I moved to San Antonio, I was able to bring [“Latino Stories”] to this university.”
“Latino Stories” episodes are recorded primarily in the podcasting studio in Classroom Hall Building Room 308.
The podcast has over 200 episodes and over 1,000 followers across three platforms. New episodes are recorded three to four times a month during the academic year.
“Using the center’s space was just a perfect partnership. They wanted to do something with digital literacy, and I had experience in podcasting,” Foulis said.
The podcast covers topics ranging from community and research, current events, to students sharing some of their own experiences.
Using podcasts in place of other media platforms allows producers to dig deeper on a topic and bring others into the conversation.
They also offer a place for people to discuss concerns and invite others to learn about other communities around them.
“I had no experience with podcasting, but I wanted to provide a platform primarily for the Latino experience and the community to talk about their work, their experiences. Since coming to San Antonio, I have been able to interview a lot of Latino artists and writers,” Foulis said.
The podcast reinforces the Latino experience and emphasizes that everyone has very different experiences based on proximity, culture and local diversity.
The latest podcast episode talks about performance theater, the importance of names in Latino culture and how they fit into the community.
Students are encouraged to check out the WLD center and explore podcasting either by listening or creating their own with the help of the WLD center tutors and their equipment. No experience is required.
“Just play around with [podcasting]. Pick a topic that you’re interested in,and practice interviewing with your friends. Find your own style, listen to a few different podcasts and get a good microphone,” Foulis said.
“Latino Stories” can be heard on SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Listeners can also follow Latino Stories on Facebook and X @latinestories.
