Are you podcasting in your classroom? Podcasting is a great way to provide deeper learning for students and empower them to have their voices heard and shared with a wider audience. And students love to engage with audio content!
Podcasting also hits speaking and listening goals and is a cross-curricular activity. Best of all, you don’t need a lot of equipment to get started. The tools you need to help your students create their own podcast stories are in their pockets or their laptops. This guide will help you select the technical tools your class will need and part 2 of the blog lays out a curriculum of how to teach them to write like a public radio reporter.
See below for some student podcast samples, and a checklist of equipment to get you set up to start creating!
Listen to Mr. Godsey’s Class Podcast emulating the podcast Serial
Find other podcasting project ideas and listen to other student podcasts and teacher reflections on their podcasting projects through the Student Podcast PODCAST (on Spotify, Sticher, and iTunes).
Anchor is a great app that is a great place to get started with all the basics of podcasting, or here are some basic equipment and software (including your computer) to help you get started…
Basic Podcasting Equipment for Classroom Podcast Lessons
Essentially you need a recording device, audio editing software and a plan to publish the podcast – and you can find low to no-cost options for each.
Recording Device
Many computers have built-in microphones. The easiest way to record audio on a desktop or tablet is by using Vocaroo, the free audio recording service. Otherwise to get a better quality recording of the student/reporter’s voice you’ll want a portable mic. Students can use their smartphones or you can purchase recorders and microphones.
Smartphone: If you don’t want to buy a microphone, you can have students record content on their smartphones in a couple ways:
Quick Voice– easy to record and share and FREE
Voice Memo Recorder FREE (on every iphone)
Microphone: If you want an external mic for better sound quality here are some options (Note, if you are using a USB microphone with an iPad, you will need a lightning to USB adapter to give you the USB interface you need to plug in the microphone):
iRig Mic Cast ($40 – works with iOS and Android, also Apple laptops)
Plantronics 655 Audio Headset ($34.99)
Audio Technica ATR 2100 USB mic ($68) – professional quality
Blue Microphone Snowball (50$)
If your classroom wanted to invest in a higher quality recorder, here are some low cost mobile sound recorder options:
Digital Voice Recorder by Yemenren ($29.99)
Audio Editing Software
- Audacity – FREE download onMac or PC
- Soundtrap – (Mac, PC, Chromebook, iPad) FREE trial, low cost subscriptions for schools
- Garageband (FREE on Mac only) – GarageBand comes pre-installed on most Apple computers. Also free on ipads.
Software to Publish the Podcasts
- Soundcloud (FREE)
- Podomatic (FREE)
- Or google drive!
If you are looking to go deeper with podcasting professional development submit your interest for a PD course put on by Soundtrap and Listenwise.
All the software is quick and easy to learn, but here are some useful Audacity tutorials for beginners:
- How to Record and Edit in Audacity
- How to import an audio file in Audacity
- Audacity Tutorial: 17 Essential Podcast Recording & Editing Tips
If you are creating podcasts in your classroom using different technology and tactics, please share ideas with us in comments!
Want to dig deeper? Check out our Podcasting Part 2 blog for ways to help you think about best practices for preparing interviews and stories, and structuring the format and content of your podcast. Find more podcasting resources on our teacher support center.
I really love the idea of podcasting! I have already used to record students’ voices and stories thanks to Spreaker studio,which allows the teacher to add special sound effects,like clapping, laughing, the bang of a gun,etc.
You can add them whenever you like,
Great podcasts, great effects!
Thanks for sharing Caterina! If you post student podasts online be sure to share with us!