Podcasting in the classroom requires careful pedagogy. See below for key points to maximize impact and learning outcomes:
The Creative Classroom at Work
A creative classroom works differently than a traditional one does. Creating and sharing original work requires a high level of sensitivity, clear expectations, and consistent communication. If students are telling their stories, answering interview questions, digging into stories that interest them, etc.—all using their voices, teachers need to establish a culture of mutual respect in the classroom.
We encourage you to explicitly address the importance of a supportive class culture and lay out your unwavering expectation that students show 100% respect for 100% of the students, 100% of the time.
Individual vs Group Production Process
These resources should culminate in student-led podcasting, either on their own or in a group. Interviews require two or more people but the Narrative and Chat prompts can be done individually or in a group. Middle schoolers especially may benefit from working in small groups instead of on their own.
If doing group work, be sure to assign clear roles (host, producer, editor) and keep individual accountability visible through each student's section of the graphic organizer.
The Five Phases of Podcasting
Concept: students reckon with the podcast’s intent and define their purpose, audience, and essential details before they write.
Planning & Writing: the heaviest literacy phase. Research, organize, script or outline.
Pre-Production & Recording: recording is part of composing, not the end of it. Students use conversational, home-vernacular speech to develop ideas, then hear what needs clarifying.
Note: Interview format usually loops Planning and Recording twice. You only know what the episode is really about after the interview.
Post-Production: editing is revision. Cutting, reordering, and choosing a shareable clip are all decisions about what best serves the audience.
Release & Reflect: publishing to a real audience makes the whole thing real. Reflection closes the loop and builds the metacognition students carry into the next episode.