Das ondas ao podcast: educomunicação e narrativas sonoras na Vila de Ponta Negra

Abstract

This monograph investigates podcasts as an educommunication tool, analyzing their historical trajectory, transformative potential in peripheral contexts, and a practical experience in a public school in Vila de Ponta Negra (Natal/RN, Brazil). Chapter 1 contextualizes the evolution of podcasts in Brazil, from their amateur origins (2004) to their post-2015 professionalization, highlighting their democratizing nature and challenges such as monetization and accessibility. Chapter 2 discusses educommunication, based on Freire (1985), Kaplún, and Soares (2011), emphasizing its role in fostering critical media literacy. Chapter 3 reports on the production of the podcast “Nas Ondas da Vila”, created by students, which covered themes like local culture, sports, and the environment using smartphones and free platforms. The methodology combined literature review, data analysis from ABPOD (2025), and experiential reporting. Results indicate that the podcast: (1) amplified community voices, such as those of the “Reisado” (traditional folk performance) and school games; (2) developed communication and teamwork skills; and (3) faced technical and engagement limitations. The study concludes that podcasts are viable for educommunication projects but require infrastructure, teacher training, and public policies to integrate them into school curricula. This research contributes to debates on media democratization, media literacy, and the use of technology in vulnerable contexts, proposing the expansion of the project into a community web radio station.