Instructor Toolkit: Create Podcast Assignment

A podcast is a recording that utilizes principles of storytelling to present an argument or share a perspective. It can be on any topic. An audio walk uses sound, music and script to create a story that someone listens to on a specified walk or trail. This type of assignment helps students develop communication and media creation skills. It moves away from traditional assessment types to help students develop their 21st century skill set. Please read the digital assignments page to learn more about the benefits of integrating a podcast assignment into your course. 

In order to create a podcast or audio walk, students may need to research, gather media, write a script, record and edit their audio.

Skill Level: Beginner 

Suggested length: 5-10 minutes. 

Weighting: 15%-30% 

Best for

• Autoethnography
• Interviews 
• Reflections
• Short essays
• Storytelling
• Tours/immersive experience

Sample learning outcomes;

• Deconstruct one of the concepts studied in the course. 
• Analyze potential causes that led to this event discussed in the course.  

Key creative steps

• Topic and brainstorm 
• Research & Outline 
• Write Show Notes 
• Create Logo 
• Scripting Interview Questions or Podcast Script 
• Peer Review 
• Revise Script/Questions 
• Recording 
• Editing (Layering, Adding Music, Cleaning up Audio) 
• Publishing & Accessibility (AODA) 
• Reflection on the experience 

Students can use whatever tool they are familiar with or have access to to record and edit their audio. If students do not have experience with a specific tool, here are some suggestions and tools that the media studio supports: 

• Audacity: This tool is open source, and is available for both PC and Mac. The library has a number of resources available, including a help guide and tutorial. Because it is open source, there are also many help videos available on YouTube. 
• GarageBand: This tool is freely available on all Mac computers. The library has a help guide available for students to use.