In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Austin Martin, the CEO of "Rhymes with Reason." Rhymes with Reason is an online application created to use song lyrics to teach vocabulary and improve literacy in pupils. Austin explains that while the app is the main focus, they also do workshops, build curricula, and engage in other activities to make it a whole programming experience. Schools, after-school activities, and educational institutions are among the intended audiences.
With a nationwide reach, Rhymes with Reason has been adopted in about 300 schools nationwide. Listen to Austin talk about their marketing tactics, which include promoting to educational institutions and holding online conferences.
This episode explores the program's approach, which teaches vocabulary by using lyrics from well-known songs. Through activities such as inference, definition, and context clues, students study vocabulary within the framework of a song, increasing their level of involvement and comprehension. English language arts, science, history, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and health are just a few of the topics covered in the program. Austin also talks on the benefits that educators and students have noted, highlighting the rise in student participation and their greater use of the program outside of the classroom.
Learn about the deficiencies in education and resources, as well as the program's efforts to close this resource gap in schools, especially in large, urban regions. With the help of artists, sports teams, and corporate sponsors, Austin hopes to reach 50,000 children in 10–20 locations and build a vibrant community around the program.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Austin Martin. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
