The Multiple Rewards

ofStudent Created

Podcasts

Michelle Robinette – Oconee County SchoolsSuzanne Korngold- Oconee County Schools

Jessie Robinette – Young Harris College

What is a Podcast? The term podcast refers to a digital, audio (and sometimes video) file that is created,

shared via the Internet, and then listened to by many. A podcast most closely resembles a radio

show from the early age of radio. It can be informative, entertaining, or both. In many cases a

podcast is an ongoing series that may be subscribed to via a RSS (Rich Site Summary or Really

Simple Syndication) feed. Podcasts can be downloaded onto players (computers, smartphones,

iPods, or MP3 players) and enjoyed at one’s leisure. Podcasts can also be accessed via the

producer’s website and listened to while online.

Millions of dollars are being spent to keep classroom technology up to date and putting

that technology to good use falls directly on the shoulders of classroom teachers and in a smaller

part on school administrators.

• Grammar Girl- Her podcasts are under 10 minutes and she does them solo-

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/

• Slate Audio Book Club- The podcasters review Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows-

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_audio_book_club/2011/07/the_audio_book_club_o

n_harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows.html

• Luke Burrage reviews science fiction books in his podcast-

http://www.sfbrp.com/archives/604

• BBC Podcasts • This I Believe

Research & Reasons

“To create authentic spaces for learning, teachers must work to integrate preexisting literacy

practices that build upon the funds of knowledge students bring with them to the modern day

classroom” (Dredger, Woods, Beach, &Sangstetter, 2010, p. 87). Research has proven

that there is a valid correlation between a student’s ability to read nonfiction and being

able to write it (Freeman, 2003). .

.

Italian researchers, Otto & Tavella (2010) noted that when discussing technology, the importance of challenge couldn’t be overstated. They found

that intrinsic motivation in computer technology tasks showed a high correlation to competency and independence. As a result, when a child feels confident in an activity that uses technology, a higher level of motivation

is often witnessed

Doris Bolliger at the University of Wyoming in which students’ levels of motivation were measured after participating in a course that required

podcasting. Using the Instructional Materials Motivation Survey developed by John Keller, a strong positive relationship was found to be

present between podcasting and motivation.

The research ,writing, and recording of a podcast requires

that a student be capable of reading critically, analytically thinking about, and writing

about a nonfiction topic. Learning to not only use but also write nonfiction text is a

skill that while not necessarily employed frequently in

childhood will be put to use greatly in post-secondary

education and most careers (Graves, 1994, p. 324) .

Lee, McLoughlin, & Chan (2007) recognized that “the true potential of podcasting technology lies in its knowledge-creation value, and its use as a vehicle for disseminating

learner-generated content.” It’s the age-old idea of learning by doing—a concept that education as a whole seems to have

abandoned in recent years in favor of high stakes test preparation.

Creating Your Brand

Members:Production Company Name:Podcast Name:Podcast Focus/DescriptionTarget Audience:Podcast Frequency:Podcast Logo:

Signature Music Title

Segway Music Title:In order to create a podcast that’s both informative and relevant, students will be required

to embark on their own inquiry investigation surrounding an assignedtopic. This research is the

first step before they begin to write their scripts, search for great sound effects or music, and

certainly before recording the actual podcast. In our classroom, I recommend the use of

nonfiction trade books for most research with the Internet and quality websites being secondary

sources of information.

It’s So Easy!

You can record in iTunes, SoundCloud, Garage Band or Audacity and embed

or upload your podcast.

You can edit in Garage Band, Audacity or iMovie, Windows Live Movie

Maker.

You can record it at home using a conference call on speaker phone.

You can record on your phone but you may have to convert a “Voice Memo”

if you are using iTunes. A Voice Memo uploads as an .mpeg file.

To convert a file, go to Zamzar.com. Choose .mp3 file.

Podcast ScriptProduction Company Name & Members______________________________

Podcast Topic_______________________ Episode # _________

Guests for this Episode?__________________________________

Opening Bumper – This should be15-20 seconds of theme music and should be considered a

“signature piece” that’s part of each episode.

Theme Music Selection: _____________________________

Intro- This is a monologue style introduction that introduces your hosts and what you will talk

about on this episode of the show.

Intro Script: ___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Segway- This is a very short (5 seconds) musical or a sound effect

Segway Music or Sound Selection: ________________________________________________

Topic 1: Talk for about 1-2 minutes

_____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Musical Segway-

Segway Music or Sound Selection: ________________________________________________

Topic 2:  Talk for 1-2 minutes

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Musical Segway:

Music or Sound Selection: _______________________________________________________

Topic 3:  This could be an additional informative segment or a quiz/ fun fact segment

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Closing: This is when you say thank you to the listener and guest(s) along with a reminder about

what’s coming up on the next show.

Closing Bumper -15-20 seconds of theme music – this should be a signature piece that’s part of

each episode. 

Theme Music Selection: _____________________________

Podcast RubricCategory Excellent Satisfactory Developing Needs to

ImprovePoints

9 points 6 points 3 points 1 point

Introduction

Good introduction. Provided relevant information and engaged the listener immediately.

Listener becomes more engaged as introduction proceeds. Topic is adequately presented.

Somewhat engaging, topic was not clear.

Irrelevant topic that minimally engages listener. Does not include an introduction and the purpose is vague.

ContentIs creative and innovative. Information is accurate and to the point. Keeps on topic and clearly summarizes the information. Includes multiple extra features such as quiz questions and fun facts

Mostly accurate and succinct. Stays on topic and briefly summarizes the information. Includes at least one extra feature such as quiz questions or fun facts.

Some information is inaccurate or long-winded. Occasionally strays from topic. Does not include extra features such as quiz questions or fun facts.

Most information is inaccurate or hard to follow.

Delivery Highly effective and well-rehearsed. Expression and rhythm kept the audience engaged.

Sounded rehearsed, enunciation, pacing, and expression are effective.

Enunciation, expression, and rhythm are uneven. Podcast sounds un rehearsed.

Delivery is distracting and hard to follow.

Graphics and

Enhancements

The graphics or artwork enhanced the audio and created an effective presentation.

The graphics or artwork related to the podcast but did not enhance it.

The graphics or artwork had little relation to the topic presented.

The graphics were completely unrelated or inappropriate.

Closing Good closing. Provided thanked the listener and encouraged future listening.

Good closing. No thank you to the listener or encouragement for future listening.

Brief and/or vague ending to the podcast.

Did not include a closing.

Book Podcast Rubric Script Goo

dGreat

Poor

Introduction includes all required elements and is interesting, creative and inviting.Book Information includes all required elements (title, author, narrative point of view, pages and genre) and does so in a creative and interesting way.Overview is a concise paragraph (100 words)that focuses on the main conflict(s) and main character(s).Includes Motivating Questions that entice the listener to read the book.Critique is a short paragraph which recommends the book in a creative and interesting way.Rating recommends the book on a scale of 1 -5 stars, where 5 is the highest.Closing thanks everyone for listening and signs off with a clever and interesting tag line.

Voice Good

Great

PoorThe podcast is recorded without mistakes, is clear and easy to understand, and uses an expressive and professional sounding voice.

Music & Sound Effects Good

Great

PoorThe music and sound effects add to the podcast, are adjusted for volume, are not too long or too short and make the podcastmore interesting to listen to.

Work Ethic Good

Great

PoorStudent used class time well came to class prepared, and stayed focused on the project without having to be re-directed by the teacher.

Student Name: Grade

____

Software Suggestions and Sites for PodcastingiMovie – software or app

Garage Band - software or app

Windows Movie Maker – see your PC’s Start Menu

Audacity

Podomatic

Tutorials/ResourcesiMovie Tutorial: http://ipaduserguides.com/ipad-imovie-tutorial/

Audacity Website/Download: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Audacity Tutorial: http://k-12.pisd.edu/multimedia/audio/audacity/audacity-quickstart-guide.htm

Windows MovieMaker Tutorial: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/create-your-own-podcast-what-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-podcaster

Podcasts to use as examples:BBC Podcasts This I Believe

Recording with AudacityBefore You Record

A few basic setup configurations are required in order to record a podcast. First, connect your

microphone to the microphone-in connection on the PC. Connect headphones to the stereo line

out or headphone jack (generally the green audio connection). Don't forget to put those

headphones on. A laundry list of audio optimizations for your PC are recommended to keep your

system running smoothly during recording.

After you launch Audacity, make sure Microphone is selected as the recording source in the

drop-down menu on the mixer toolbar.

Figure 1. Configure Microphone as your recording source

Open the Audacity Preferences window from the File menu. On the Audio I/O tab, verify that

your sound card is selected as the device for both playback and recording. In the Channels drop-

down box under Recording, choose 1 (Mono). Unless you are using two microphones, the Stereo

option simply duplicates the track, making the file size bigger without a resulting improvement

to audio fidelity.

Switch to the Quality tab, and choose 44,100 Hz as the Default Sample Rate and 16-bit as the

Default Sample Format. Audiophiles will argue that higher sample rates and formats are better,

but for spoken word, 44,100 Hz and 16-bit sampling works admirably, especially considering

that the resulting output will be MP3. Ignore the rest of the settings on the Quality tab.

Figure 3. Set the sample rate and bit rate

The File Formats tab configures output options. Choose WAV (Microsoft 16 bit PCM) as the

Uncompressed Export Format. Leave the OGG Export Setup untouched. Then, find the location

at which you extracted the Lame codec to add it to Audacity by clicking on the Find Library

button and browsing to the file location. I generally unzip the Lame codec to C:\LAME so I can

find it easily, but there's no "right" location. Once you've added Lame support, close the

Audacity Preferences window by clicking on OK.

Figure 4. Configure output options

Ready to Record

Click on the microphone icon in Audacity's Meter toolbar to turn on monitoring. You should see

a red level indicator moving slightly as it picks up ambient room noise. Talk into the microphone

and make adjustments to the volume until you get a level that rises close to the right edge of the

meter without turning the far-right section solid red. If you get a solid red bar at the far right, the

audio is clipping, which means your finished file will sound distorted. Once you've adjusted the

level, you're ready to record.

Figure 5. Activate volume-level monitoring

With all the preparations out of the way, it's time to create your first podcast. Push the Record

button and start talking. When you finish recording, press the yellow square Stop button and save

the file in .wav format. Saving is an important step, in order to make sure you don't accidentally

delete the file.

Figure 6. Audacity recording controls

It's time to edit the audio file or save it as an MP3 for distribution as your first podcast. Editing

can be as simple as eliminating all the places you said "um" by highlighting them and deleting

them, or as complex as adding a music bed and inserting other audio clips into the recorded file.

To keep this simple, we'll assume you're a one-take wonder and you recited a golden monologue

for your first podcast.