Using Podcasts to Have Students Create Content

7/24/2014

One of the ways I challenge my students with creating content are by creating podcasts or as we call them in class, "Radio Shows." While we do not yet have a podcast channel (summer project) I do have my students use GarageBand on our school iPads to create these works of arts. You will find two examples below from my classroom. The first was a Greek Myth done by my sixth graders a few years ago.

The second audio recording is my fifth grade a few years ago. They had a menu of options of assignments to complete based on our studies of Africa. Here is their podcast on farming in Algeria.

While the audio is not the greatest in either of these, you can see that students are able create and show me understanding of the topics they chose to record on.

So next year when my students come to class, I can use these to start the Inquiry Cycle.

8 Comments

Lynn Johnson link

7/24/2014 01:57:36 pm

I enjoyed the sound effects the students created in the first clip. It gave it a reader's theater or old time radio show feel. Do you have the students evaluate their own work? Just curious how they feel about what they are doing. I am impressed.

7/26/2014 01:18:16 pm

I am glad you enjoyed the students work. I do have students their own work so that they can learn about how they are doing. If I have the time, I will sit down with them and have a conversation about their performance.

Bryan Wiedeman

7/25/2014 07:21:29 pm

Really well done. I thought the students did a great job retelling the story of the golden apple with all the important details. They also did a great job including some sound effects. The iPad app works perfect for creating podcasts like these.

7/26/2014 01:19:55 pm

Yes the app does well. I would choose a computer program if we were going to do something more complicated. It is truly amazing what students will produce when you give them choices.

Marne Bender

7/27/2014 03:01:13 am

These are awesome! Podcasting is on my list of awesome activities to try this year with students. Perhaps a rubric could be used to guide the creation and evaluate the podcast as well!

7/27/2014 01:34:22 pm

Hello Marne,

I used a rubric to evaluate but not in creation. I feel that sometimes rubrics or detailed directions can hamper student creativity. Yes, it is nice for students to see what they are supposed to do, but do they just stick to that or do they go beyond what you are asking?

Molly

7/27/2014 04:02:46 am

These are wonderful! Storyboarding is such a valuable writing skill - it incorporates writing of course, but also critical thinking, planning and organization, and choice-based product. Students must plan the script, identify when they need to be clear about who is speaking ("I, as Hera"). Then they must decide which sound effects will add to their content and story. Finally, they must practice (and practice) oral fluency and inflection before recording their final product.
Bravo to your students!

7/27/2014 01:37:17 pm

Molly,

My students thank you for those kind words. As you mentioned, they had to do many of the items you described above. It took time and effort to finish these and you could tell that a lot of work into them. More authentic learning was gained in both these activities.

Using Podcasts to Have Students Create Content

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