Podcasts

What are podcasts?

Podcasts are a form of digital media that has grown immensely popular in recent years. Podcasts are audio programs, similar to radio shows, but available on the internet for you to listen to anytime and anywhere. They cover a vast range of topics, from storytelling and science to current events and hobbies.

Why are podcasts relevant, especially for you as students? In our digital age, podcasts have become a significant source of information and entertainment. They are an excellent way to explore new subjects, hear from experts in various fields, and get exposed to different viewpoints. Not only do they offer a wealth of knowledge and perspectives, but they also represent a growing industry with opportunities in digital media production, journalism, and beyond.

Engaging with podcasts isn't just about listening; it's also about creating. In this unit, you'll learn how to create your own podcast. This will help you develop valuable skills like audio editing, storytelling, interviewing techniques, and digital communication. It's a chance for you to express your ideas and share your voice with a wider audience.

How Podcasts Became So Popular

Podcasts have become a massive phenomenon due to a combination of factors.

This video covers the origins of podcasts and how they have evolved to become lucrative, income-generating platforms for organizations and content-creators.

Assignment Overview

>> Click here to make a copy of the slide deck below.

Create a new unit called "Podcasts" on your portfolio. Make a copy of the slide deck below and embed it into your portfolio.

Follow the instructions in the slides and submit your completed slide deck to Google Classroom when complete.

Criterion A - Research Existing Podcasts

Design 8 - Podcast Analysis

Additional Examples

Mr. Hamlin's Podcast

During the pandemic, I created a podcast series to learn about how other teachers adjusted to the changing dynamics of teaching in a hybrid or remote manner. I called it the "Shift-Ed" podcast based on how quickly we had to shift our teaching practices during this interesting and challenging time.

Feel free to check out any of the episodes by clicking here.

sounds and music in podcasts

Intro music: People will associate this opening jingle with your show, so make sure it’s catchy and represents your podcast well.
Outro music: The easiest option is to choose something relaxing, but it’s not a compulsory rule. You can have fun and use your imagination when selecting outro music.
Segment separators: Using short instrumental snippets helps to draw attention to a new segment.
Sound effects. Natural background noise can help your listeners create a more vivid mental image. But there are two things to consider: it must help describe the environment, and it mustn’t be too loud or distracting.
Background music: Some podcasters play music throughout the episodes to make them more atmospheric. It’s essential to keep the volume of the music lower than the volume of the spoken word to ensure the podcast is easy to understand. Also, consider the tone of your podcast: for a serious topic, use solemn and slow melodies, and for a light-hearted one, use upbeat and happy music.

Sources of Music and Sound Effects

When you are making a podcast, you should aim to use Royalty Free music and sound effects. These are types of music that have been created without the copyright restrictions of songs by your favourite popular artists. If you use copyright material in your podcast, it could get your podcast blocked when you try to distribute it.

Online Audio Editing Tools

Using the sources above, find and download your own music and sound effects clips for your podcast.

You need to have:

Intro Music
Outro Music
Segment Separators
Sound Effects
Sponsor Music
Background Music (optional)

Criterion B - creating your podcast Outline

Your podcast will be an interview format podcast. To help plan your podcast structure, you need to create an outline of your podcast episode. You can have creative freedom to create your outline but it should follow a format similar to this:

[Music intro]

Podcast Overview: What is the podcast title, what is the podcast about?

Host introduction: Who are you, tell us a bit about you

Speaking intro: Give listeners an overview of the episode to hook their interest: What is the episode about?

Guest introduction: Include your guest's basic bio, including accomplishments, title, and experience.

Question #1. (Duration: ____)

Question #2. (Duration: ____)

[Sponsor message]

Question #3. (Duration: ____)

Episode recap and closing remarks

Call to action: Give your listeners one thing to do like subscribe to your show, sign up for a newsletter, or join a giveaway.

[Outro Music} Remind everyone who you are.

We will use the Podcast Planning Document below to organize your podcast episode. You will find a copy of this in your Google Classroom.

Design 8 - Podcast Planning Document

creating your podcast introduction

research & writing your podcast questions

Once you know who your partner is, you can begin working with them to develop effective questions for your podcast interview. Spending some time getting to know somebody before you record your podcast can be very helpful as it will create a more relaxed atmosphere when it comes time to record. Please view this list for tips on how to generate effective questions for your podcast guest.

Do Your Homework: Research your guest thoroughly. Understand their background, expertise, and recent activities. This will allow you to ask informed, specific questions that demonstrate respect for their work and insight.
Start with Open-Ended Questions: Begin your interview with open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses. Avoid yes/no questions. For example, ask "What inspired you to start your latest project?" instead of "Do you enjoy working on your project?"
Listen Actively: Pay close attention to your guest's answers. Active listening can lead to spontaneous, insightful follow-up questions that delve deeper into the subject.
Create a Comfortable Atmosphere: Establish a friendly, conversational tone. Make your guest feel comfortable and respected, which will encourage them to open up and share more.
Balance Personal and Professional: Mix questions about their professional life with light, personal questions. This adds dimension to the conversation and makes it more relatable to the audience.
Prepare, But Be Flexible: While it's important to prepare questions in advance, be ready to deviate from your script based on the conversation's flow. Sometimes the most interesting discussions come from unplanned questions.
Ask Clarifying Questions: If a guest mentions something intriguing or unclear, don't hesitate to ask for clarification or further details. This shows you're genuinely interested and engaged.
Mind the Time: Be aware of time constraints. Respect your guest's time by keeping questions concise and focused, avoiding long-winded introductions or explanations.
Encourage Storytelling: People love stories, so encourage your guests to share anecdotes. Phrases like “Can you share a time when…” or “What was it like when…” can lead to engaging narratives.
Conclude Effectively: End with a strong, reflective question that allows your guest to summarize their views or share final thoughts. This leaves both your guest and audience with a lasting impression.

Criterion c - Podcast Summative

You will create your very own interview podcast where you will interview a classmate about the topic of their L&L Autobiographical Personal Essay from the fall.

Podcast Criteria:

Podcast page on your portfolio with Crit A, Crit B, and Crit C clearly posted (see sample page).
3-5 Minutes Long (no more, no less)
Opening Jingles
Introductions
Proper interview technique
Thoughtful, open-ended questions
Closing sequences
Segment separator jingles
Sound Effects
Sponsored ads (optional)

How to Embed Audio in Your Google Site

summative rubric

Gr 8 Podcast Unit Rubric

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