Podcast Pod: Create and produce a collaborative podcast

    $599.00

    NEW Course! “Podcasting is one of the most democratic mediums: anyone with something to say can join in the conversation with a small amount of training and equipment they already have. I produce two podcasts and I’m very excited to collaborate with students to send their ideas out into the world!”
    ~ Prof. Suki Wessling

     

    Enrollment

    Available

    Step 1: Register Your Student

    Step 2: Enroll Your Registered Student

    InstructorProf. Suki Wessling
    Content LevelsGrades 6-7 • Middle School
    Grades 7-8 • Junior High
    Grades 9-10 • Lower High School
    Grades 11-12 • Upper High School
    Course Length16 weeks
    Live Webinars Held OnTuesdays, 2 PM Pacific - 1/28/25 - 5/17/25
    In Podcast Pod, you will collaborate with other students to create a podcast. Each student or group of students (depending on interest) will create an episode for our podcast. At the end of the semester, we’ll release the podcast to the world—literally! Our stories will be out there for anyone to subscribe to on their phone or listen to on their computer.
    What IS a podcast?
    A podcast is a spoken word show that may include music and sound effects. It usually has multiple episodes. It may feature one speaker or many. It could tell a story, give information, or communicate ideas. It is available for anyone to subscribe to and listen to through an RSS feed.
    Lessons include:
    • Exploring podcasts and what they can do
    • Learning about effective storytelling, script writing, and script editing
    • Using collaborative tools
    • Sound recording techniques
    • Sound editing techniques
    • Music choice and copyright information
    • Podcast distribution
    Minimum technical knowledge and equipment required:
    • The instructor will provide some technology training, but some basic skills will be required. Students or their parent should be familiar with how to install software on a phone, tablet, or computer. Students will need login access to Google Drive. If students are familiar with a text-based editing environment such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word, they will probably have the level of skills they need for sound editing.
    • Aside from the device used for recording, all software required for the course will be free for basic use. Some software will offer upgrades for pay, but they will not be required in order to complete the assignments.
    Note to parents:
    • Podcast Pod will be a FUN, interactive course for your student, but it is likely to require support on your end. Because the instructor can’t be in your home helping with technology, your student may need an adult to offer support in a variety of ways. A student who already knows how to use text-editing software and record sound on a device will probably be able to take the course independently.
    • For syllabus inquiries, please contact the instructor: Prof. Suki Wessling

    Taught by Prof. Suki Wessling

    What to expect in the Required section in the classroom each week:

    • Links to free, online information about subjects related to podcasting, including storytelling, script writing, sound recording, sound editing, and podcast production.

    What to expect in the Highly Suggested & Optional sections in the classroom each week:

    • Forums for discussing questions and ideas with other students and the instructor.
    • Curated resources, including websites & videos, are provided to excite learners and to add depth to the subject matter.

    What to expect during the weekly webinar:

    • Weekly webinars are 50 minutes long. Webinars are recorded and are available for students with schedule conflicts.
    • Webinars will include instruction and interactive collaboration.
    • Students who are creating collaborative projects may need to be able to meet in text chat or video chat outside of class times (facilitated by parents).

    Before taking this course, students should be able to: 

    • Read at a solid 8th-grade level or above (or listen to high school level audio content).
    • Write a paragraph independently.
    • Listen to a podcast episode independently.
    • Use text editing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

    Students should be willing to:

    • Learn new software.
    • Collaborate constructively with other students.
    • Commit to submitting a finished episode (3-10 minutes) by the due date near the end of the semester.

    Required books & materials:

    • A phone, tablet, or computer equipped with a microphone. (High quality not necessary.)
    • A Google login to access Google collaborative tools (parent login OK for pre-teens).
    • An email address (parent’s email, except for teens) used to sign up for subscriptions for free software and materials, if necessary.
    • All other materials will be available online and in the classroom.

    Technical support:

    • Students should be prepared to learn how to use their device and software independently. If they require one-on-one attention, the instructor can be available for individual sessions for an hourly fee. Please inquire.