4 September 2014

Mistakes, a Teenager’s Love of Learning, and Loose Change!

 
 

“Would anyone like to chat with me while I make my second podcast?” I asked my family.

 
“I will,” volunteered Sophie, my 13 year old daughter.
“Perhaps this time my voice will sound more natural,” I said, “because I’ll be having a real conversation with someone I can see.”
Soon I was setting up my computer in the quiet of my bedroom. I had a list of conversation topics. I also had a new external microphone.
Soon I was saying, “Hi! I’m Sue Elvis from the blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family.” I got through the difficult first couple of minutes. The words started flowing. Sophie and I began to enjoy ourselves. Twenty minutes later, I clicked the ‘stop’ button. We’d done it. A perfect podcast!
I pressed the ‘playback’ button and we sat back to listen.
“Oh no!” Something had gone wrong. I’d made a mistake with the mic. The recording wasn’t perfect after all. Should we start again? Yes? No? I couldn’t make up my mind.This morning, I decided to record everything a second time. “At least we’re learning a lot by making mistakes,” I said, trying to make myself feel better. Fortunately, Sophie agreed.

Some time later, my second podcast was finished for the second time. Am I happy with it? I think this podcast flows more smoothly than my first one. Yes, I think it’s much better.

 
So what did Sophie and I talk about? We chatted about our shared love of learning and all the interests we have in common. I mulled over how important it is for mothers to be a good example of learning. And how mothers usually end up learning from their children.  We discussed Sophie’s least favourite question related to learning. And we talked about perfection and why it isn’t necessary.
Along the way other topics entered our conversation such as cat bites, our huge puppy Nora, online art classes, loose change, DSLR cameras and mistakes. Does any of that sound interesting? I hope so because I‘d love you to listen and then give me some feedback, (good or bad but please be kind!)
Like last time, I will add some program notes about all the things we mentioned in the podcast, because they might be helpful. Posting program notes also makes me feel like a real podcaster!
So have you got something to do while you listen? Would you like to grab a cup of coffee? Ready? It’s now time for…Mistakes, a Teenager’s Love of Learning, and Loose Change!

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Program Notes:
 
 

People and Podcasts

People and Videos
Online Art Classes
 

Sue Elvis

I'm an Australian blogger, podcaster, and Youtuber. I write and speak about unschooling, parenting and family life. I'm also the author of the unschooling books 'Curious Unschoolers', 'Radical Unschool Love' and ‘The Unschool Challenge’. You'll find them on Amazon!

3 Comments

  1. You both sound relaxed and natural, Sue. Well done!! I listened while I made lists and stuff on my iPad. It carried on playing so I was able to do two things at once – can't do that with a written post!

    I hope Sophie's hand is okay, now. Perhaps, you should let the pets fight it out, after all – if you can risk a hefty vet's bill, I guess!
    Looking forward to your next talk. I wonder what the topic will be??

    🙂

    • PS. I was thinking how useful podcasts might be for your grief posts. I wondered whether the sound of a compassionate and understanding voice might sometimes be more comforting to someone who is grieving than the words on a screen.

      🙂

    • Vicky,

      After emailing you, I found your second comment! I really am hopeless. Never mind, I enjoyed writing to you.

      I'm glad to hear we sounded okay. You wrote while you listened? I don't think I could do that. You have amazing skills!

      Sophie's hand is much better, thank you. She has even been able to return to the piano. I have thought about letting the pets fight it out, but I can't quite do it. Yes, I don't really want the animals to get injured and vet bills are expensive!

      I love your idea of making podcasts about grief. I'd like to tell Thomas' story as if someone was listening. I'm going to try that idea out! I'll let you know how I go.

      My next talk? You want more? You are so kind! I don't know what the next topic will be but I don't suppose I'll have any trouble coming up with possibilities.

      Thank you so much for your feedback. The podcast has had lots of plays but no comments. That's always worrying. Perhaps listeners didn't know what to say about it!

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