On Grammar Podcasts

One category of grammar resources that is becoming more easily accessible via the Internet are grammar podcasts.

Grammar podcasts are a fairly new resource that greatly benefit auditory learners. Many also feature visual accompaniment that can benefit even more students.

Two podcasts we look at in our presentation on New Media are featured below.

Grammar Grater (http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/podcasts/grammar_grater/)
Grammar Grater comes from Minnesota Public Radio. Host Luke Taylor takes the listener through various skits and excerpts from literary and journalistic sources to cover the finer points of grammar. Some of the concepts Taylor reviews are for more advanced grammar students (looking at style conventions) while other posts are more for entertainment value (dissecting idiomatic expressions).
Though Grammar Grater posts transcripts of its episodes, it's primary value is as an audio resource.

Grammar Girl (http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/)
Mignon Fogarty's Grammar Girl from Quick & Dirty Tips, conversely, provides multivalent resources for all kinds of learners. Though the emphasis is on the auditory aspect, Fogarty provides additional cartoons, charts, and video to illustrate her points. To access the additional media, users must go to the transcript hosted at the Quick & Dirty site. The site is clearly written and easily searchable. Fogarty takes listener feedback and questions, often addressing listener questions directly in her episodes.
What makes Fogarty's podcasts so effective is that she offers tips and tricks that resonate with the listener. She often utilizes pop culture references and current events in her answers, making grammar issues relatable.

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As a tutor, it's important to remember that not all students learn things in the same way. Keeping on top of new trends--like podcasts--is one way a tutor can be more proactive in the Writing Center.