The Student-Created Podcast Project

Empowering Voices, Deepening Learning

The Student-Created Podcast Project is a comprehensive, authentic assessment tool designed to maximize learner success across all subject areas. This project moves beyond traditional papers and presentations by challenging students to become both subject-matter experts and skilled communicators.

Why Use Podcasting?

Podcasting fosters high-level cognitive engagement by requiring students to teach a complex topic to a real-world audience. This process enhances critical thinking, promotes deep content mastery, and develops essential professional skills in technology, collaborative storytelling, and verbal communication.

Key Features of the Accompanying Lesson Plan:

• Scaffolding Guide: Step-by-step instructions for breaking down the project into manageable assignments (e.g., topic selection, interview planning, script development).

• Research Requirement: Mandates students interview multiple sources (three suggested) to gain diverse, expert perspectives on a core issue, fostering industry connections.

• Assessment Tools: Includes a detailed, weighted rubric (available below) focusing on content accuracy, perspective integration, verbal delivery, and technical production quality.

This resource provides educators with a complete framework to implement student-created podcasts, transforming coursework into tangible, portfolio-ready artifacts that demonstrate advanced synthesis and communication ability.

For any questions or assistance on podcasting as a learning tool, please email Sidney Schnor at sidney24@iastate.edu or Dr. Fally Masambuka-Kanchewa at fallymk@iastate.edu.