Pedagozilla

Pedagodzilla exploring the realm of pedagogy

Today, the authors of Pedagodzilla introduced the book as an evolution of their podcast, which was initially grounded in discussions about educational theories through popular culture.

They reflected on the process of transitioning from the podcast to the book, specifically discussing how they integrated playfulness into both the scholarship and writing process. They highlighted where this approach succeeded, where it fell short, and the lessons learned along the way.

Webinar Transcript

This method of explaining educational theories through entertainment was not just a way to make learning fun, but also an effective approach that resonated with listeners, particularly during the social isolation of lockdown. The casual banter between the hosts became a key element of the podcast’s appeal, fostering a sense of connection for listeners. The decision to create a book was partly driven by the realization that the podcast lacked accessibility, particularly for those who preferred text. Transcripts alone were insufficient, so turning the discussions into a more structured, coherent format—one that could explore the ideas academically—was seen as a natural next step.

Self-publishing emerged as the most practical route for the book’s creation, allowing for greater control and effectiveness. Overall, the process was organic, driven by the desire to expand the reach of the podcast’s educational discussions in a different medium, providing both academic value and a tangible product that could be easily understood by a wider audience, including those unfamiliar with podcasts.

In addition to their focus on making education theory accessible through popular culture, the authors of Pedagodzilla emphasized that creating the book was an enjoyable and personal experience. They highlighted the importance of fun in the project, as much of the work happened outside professional hours, driven by their passion for the subject. This playful approach—evident in the podcast’s unscripted, lively discussions—helped build a connection with their audience.

When developing the book, they initially considered simply using AI-generated transcripts of their podcast but realized that these contained too much off-topic banter. Instead, they saw an opportunity to structure the ideas better in written form and enhance the content with their own insights.

They added interactive elements like “Zilla heads,” visual illustrations of their discussions, to retain the playful dynamic and personal reflections from the podcast.

These elements made the book more engaging, embodying the journey they wanted the readers to experience.

The idea of the book’s structure, like a journey through a map, added a layer of physicality to the abstract concepts.

The Zilla illustrations brought the authors to life for the readers, creating a more grounded and embodied experience.

This approach helped make complex educational ideas more tangible and accessible, while maintaining the fun and personable tone that defined the podcast. The use of visual and narrative techniques ensured that the book wasn’t just an academic text but a playful, interactive experience for the audience.

References:

Pedagozilla Podcast: https://www.pedagodzilla.com/

Pedagozilla Print-copy: Amazon

One Reply to “Pedagozilla”

  1. Various insights came to mind, such as how shifting between podcasts and books, and moving between oral and written discourse, influences how we share ideas. How can we really enhance the authenticity and depth of these forms of communication?

    Oral discourse, like in podcasts, feels spontaneous and expressive, while written discourse, as in books, gives more structure and clarity. Moving from spoken to written encourages reflection and refinement, making things more meaningful. And on the flip side, turning written content into speech can really bring ideas to life through tone and nuance.

    What instigated these reflections was not as a reader/learner or teacher/educator, but as an author/researcher, while listening to a conversation between three authors discussing how they made the book.

    I think there is something more to consider in terms of providing an experience of meaning-making that is deep fun: heartful (emotional), mindful (intellectual), and transcendental (spiritual)… perhaps this is what we’ve been doing in Rumpus…

    And you, what do you think about how these mediums and means play off each other, offering new ways to dialogue, explore, and build meaning that makes you feel “differently good”?

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