This resource was our first iteration of what this website has become. All of the information on this website is in this Book Creator book. Feel free to copy the book and remix it to use with your students.
Video Tutorials
This video will introduce you to Anchor and help you decide if you should use it.
This tutorial will help you learn how to set up and use Anchor FM.
I use a video editor to edit all my podcast audio. It helps me get precision and allows me to balance my audio. This video based resource will help you get started with editing video.
Audacity is a free application that you can use to record and edit your audio.
Below is the equipment that we use. You do not have to purchase what we use. These items and prices are a reference point for you to use to build your own studio. Find what works for you and the way you will record your episode.
This little microphone is great for a one person podcast. You can get the kit that has 2 microphones.
Anchor FM is a free app that will enable you to record, edit, and publish your podcast episodes to the major podcast platforms. You can do it all from your phone or tablet.
It may be easier to record, edit, and publish your podcast if you use a small tripod to hold it up for you. This will keep your hands free. You can also plug in your USB microphone to the side of your device.
Recording with a laptop or desktop allows you to have more than 1 microphone attached to your computer. Recording with more than one microphone adds a few more steps and software. If you record with one USB microphone the process is very easy. Just plug in the mic and record with Anchor FM. If you add more than one microphone you could use OBS to connect all of the microphones and you could record the podcast with OBS. Then you would upload your video file to Anchor FM.
Anchor FM is a free app that will enable you to record, edit, and publish your podcast episodes to the major podcast platforms. You can do it all from your phone or tablet.
This hub will enable you to connect more that one microphone to your Windows or Apple computer. Then you would use OBS to mix all of the microphones together. You would level each microphone and add a limiter filter. Then record your episode and edit with Anchor FM or a video editor.
These Rode microphones are to be used with a sound board. They require XLR cables and phantom power to operate. You also need to be very close to these microphones because they are designed that way. The sound quality is much better than a USB microphone. We have six because our sound board can plug in up to 6 microphones.
We use this sound board to connect up to 6 live guest and unlimited number of virtual guests. We record the audio output with a filed recorder. You can connect the soundboard to a computer and record directly into another program like Adobe Audition.
You do not need a sound board if you have 4 or less podcast guest. You can use the Zoom H6 as a sound board. It will allow you to level each microphone on the device. Your audio will get saved to an SD card. You then transfer the audio to your computer to edit the audio.
You will need an XLR cable for each of your microphones. We use 6ft and 10ft cables. 3ft would be too short to use. The colors help you identify each microphone.
Your recording device may require an SD card or a micro-SD card. 128 GB will be plenty of storage space for an SD card. If you need a micro-SD card, 32 GB is the size I purchased, but 128 would be nice to have.
1. Audiobooks: Students could read a story they've written for others to enjoy.
2.Subject Matter Questions: Hosts could discuss questions and content for an upcoming assessment.
3. Movie review: Summarize a movie you've seen and share your own opinion (without giving away the plot).
4.Sports report: Provide an overview of a sports competition the school has been involved in. Perhaps interview some participants or coaches.
5. Grammar tips: Students could share tips about grammar or other literacy conventions.
6. Special day: There are many sites that share events that you could talk about (e.g. daysoftheyear.com).
7. State history: Students could research the history of their state, perhaps over a series of episodes.
8. The music show: Discuss your favorite music or artists, or genre.
9. Leadership Nomination: Students who'd like to be considered for a leadership role around the school could submit their application as a podcast.
10. Did you know? Students could research and share some fun facts that might appeal to their school community. The theme could change each episode.
11. Problem-Solving Puzzles Quizzes: Turn your podcast into a game show. You could share a logic puzzle or a series of quiz questions and invite listeners to share their answers in an email or blog comment.
12. How-to: There are so many things you could provide tutorials on-- training a dog, maintaining a bike, using public transport, growing a vegetable garden, etc.
13. Cooking Show: Students could share some easy-to-follow recipes or lunch box ideas.
14. Thinking about the Future: The podcasters could interview others on their thoughts about the future. What will life be like in 5, 10, 50 years time?
15. Looking after the Environment: Share tips on how to reduce, reuse, recycle and look after our planet.
16. Trends: Discuss the latest trends in the schoolyard. Games, fashion, toys ... what's hot and what's not.
17. Podcast Review: Discuss other podcasts that fellow students might like to subscribe to.
18. Playground Fun: Offer activity suggestions that students could try out at recess and lunchtime.
19. Science Report: Research some of the latest science news or try an experiment and report on your findings.
20. Global Collaboration: Team up with a class overseas and record a podcast together comparing your school days or discussing any topic!
21. Debate: Two students can debate a topic and ask the listeners to provide their own feedback.
22. Holiday Ideas: At the end of the school term, students could share ideas of fun activities to try over the break.
23: Reader's Theater: Students can create and perform their own reader's theater scripts.
24. Excursion Report: On returning from an excursion, students can record a recount of their day.
25. Language Learning: Record a podcast in the language you're learning or record a podcast in English that teaches some foreign terminology.
26. Poetry: Read some well-known poetry or perform your classmates' poetry.
27. Fitness Fix: Produce a regular podcast with new ideas for keeping fit. A different sport or series of exercises could be showcased in each episode.
28. Virtual Yearbook: Be your school's virtual yearbook reporter. Why wait until the end of the year. Discuss the year as it unfolds.
29. The Tech Report: Review a new gadget or share a technology tip that will help out your school community.
30. Website or App Review: This could be a regular series and student input could be invited.
31. From the Principal's Office: Students could regularly interview the principal and share a report on current news or goals.
32. Inspiration: Random acts of kindness, mindfulness tips, or inspirational quotes could all be shared in a podcast.
33. Kindergarten Kids: Older students could create a podcast for young children with nursery rhymes, stories, songs, and more.
34. The comedy Show: Share some jokes or hilarious skits.
35. MoneyTips: How to make money, save money, and be financially responsible. Students could compile some simple tips for their fellow classmates.
36. Travel Report: In each episode, students could interview someone about a destination they've visited.
37. Hobby Podcast: Interview various students to talk about their interesting hobbies: crafts, sports, collections, music, photography, etc.
38. Digital Citizenship: Students could report on how to stay safe online with simple tips and strategies.
39. Our local Community: This podcast could feature interviews with members of the local community: shopkeepers, doctors, council members, religious leaders, and other local business people.
40. Moving to High School: For students in primary/elementary/middle school, a podcast series could introduce them to their local high school.
41. Social Justice: Issues such as racism, bullying, disabilities, sexism, poverty, etc. can be discussed to raise awareness within the community.
42. Career Report: Students could report on different careers, interviewing someone in the field.
43. Spotlight on Another Country: There are nearly 200 countries worldwide. In each episode, some interesting facts could be shared about a particular country.
44. Television Chat: A panel of students could discuss an episode of a popular television show.
45. The Top 10: Create a podcast series that counts down the top 10 of something each week...movies, songs, travel destinations, websites, etc.
46. Time Management and Productivity: Help students learn to manage their time better with some useful tips and tricks.
47. Rules and Laws: Discuss school rules, or laws that exist locally, across the state, or nationwide.
48. Nature Podcast: Record outdoors using the sounds of nature and discuss the local flora and fauna.
49. Myths and Legends: Research some traditional folktales or come up with your own stories from long ago.
50. Thank you Podcast: At the end of the school year, students could create podcasts to thank the teachers and staff who have worked with them.