Activity+2-2+Creating+a+Podcast

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Activity #2-2: Creating a Podcast //*This project will be started in class (on 11/1) and is due the following week (11/8 by the start of class)// <<--Back to Week 2 ** Click here for the Activity #2-2 Student Work Page **

Now that you have a good working knowledge of what podcasts are and how they can be used in instruction, it is time to make your own. Steps: 1) Write a script for your video or audio podcast. 2) E-mail me with: a) the topic of your podcast, b) your intended audience, and c) how do you plan on using this in your classroom (what delivery?) 3) Create your podcast using Audacity, GarageBand or another program 4) Post your podcast to edModo and the Wiki Student Work page

__Additional Details__: The process of creating a podcast can seem complicated at first, but as you work through the process you will find it is very similar to the lesson plan creation process. The most important steps in the creation of a podcast are the planning and script creation. Once you have this completed this preparatory material, the technical work of recording, editing and producing the product will go much more smoothly.

The first step in producing a podcast is planning the content to be covered and creating a script. For more information about the planning process and how to develop a script, read chapter 4 in Podcasting for Teachers: Using a New Technology to Revolutionize Teaching and Learning (available from Books 24x7).


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The next step is to create the audio recording. There are many software tools available for podcasting, but Audacity (for Mac or PC) is the best choice. To learn about the audio recording features in Audacity, read the content on the following web page: []

Further information on how to record and edit a podcast is available in chapters 5-8 of Podcasting for Teachers: Using a New Technology to Revolutionize Teaching and Learning (available from Books 24x7). When recording and editing the podcast take careful note of the following:
 * It is essential that the spoken material is recorded at a consistent volume and that all of the material is audible and understandable. You may need to complete several practice recordings in order to find the best way to capture the sound of your voice. Newer computers have decent built-in microphones that may be adequate for capturing your voice. If the recording quality from the built-in microphone in your computer is not adequate, you will need to consider getting an external microphone to connect to your computer.
 * If music or sound effects are used in the creation of the podcast, it is important that they support the overall theme or topic of the podcast. Music is often used in the opening to focus the listener’s attention and at the end to bring closure to the production. Sometimes it is appropriate to use musical underscoring to support or highlight important parts of the podcast or to create transitions between sections.
 * After recording and editing the podcast, email it to your instructor with a one-page reflection of what you learned, what was tricky, what you would do differently next time.