Soundwaves of Genius: Uncovering Creative Talent in Latiné Students Through Podcasting

This praxis article investigated how podcasting can enhance engagement, motivation, and meaningful experiences among Latiné elementary students who exhibit gifted potential but remain underserved by traditional identification methods. Conducted in a diverse urban school in the southeastern United States, the four-week project involved four fourth- and fifth-grade students in creating personal podcast episodes, allowing them to explore identity, interests, and storytelling through technology. Data from surveys, observations, and student work suggest that podcasting supports equitable access to advanced learning opportunities by fostering creativity, challenge, and belongingness. The project used holistic identification strategies and emphasized culturally relevant, student-driven learning. Findings revealed increased affective engagement and academic confidence, leading to the identification of three of the four students for gifted services. Results highlight podcasting's value for addressing opportunity and excellence gaps in gifted education. The findings underscore the importance of inclusive instructional approaches that amplify student voice and reveal potential not captured by conventional assessments.