What is a Podcast?
Podcasts are audio or video files that anybody can listen to online or download onto their portable media player. They are mostly associated with episodic content of a regularly programmed series, such as a radio show. With the decreasing cost of recording devices and release of easy to use media editing tools, producing podcasts is easier than ever!
A podcast can cover a variety of topics, from the archives of a weekly radio program to foreign language guides. Many universities create podcasts of prominent guest speakers, while a class here at UBC uses them as assignments to hone students' storytelling skills. UBC students also create podcasts and audio files to share student opinion and experience via interview.
Podcasts can be an effective storytelling tool. The four tools of a podcast are voice, sounds, music and silence, and it’s astonishing how far these can go to captivate listeners. Without visual distractions, podcasts are able to hone in on specific content and intimately engage the listener.
How Do They Support Learning?
Archive Class Lectures
You can create archives of class lectures for students who missed a class, want to review what you discussed with them, or study during their commute
Digital Storytelling
Students can be given assignments that help them explore and share stories about local issues.
Literary Readings
Many plays and poems are better understood when read out loud. Dramatic readings help convey expressions and meaning.
Language Learning
Help students learn a new language by letting them hear and practice proper pronunciations.
Audio Instructions
Easily explain assignments and solutions by creating short "microlectures"
Guest Speakers
Share lectures from guest speakers who can give personal and in-depth insight into the latest research and issues.
Interviews
Students can hone their interview skills while talking with other students or professors about a wide range of topics.
Examples
Podcasts can be produced and used in a variety of ways. Take time to look through the examples below and look into the possibilites on how they can be applied in academic settings.
Podcasts at UBC
LFS 400 - Digital Communication and Topics in Agriculture: a course that supports students in their development as communicators of topics on agriculture and sustainability. Learn more about the project and listen to some student podcasts.
Arts One Open: Podcast lectures offering perspectives on course readings.
Continuing Studies Public Lectures: UBC Continuing Studies shares recordings of their public lectures on topics such as human rights, journalism, and sustainability.
Therapeutics Initiative Podcasts: the Therapeutics Initiative (TI) podcast is a biweekly presentation where practitioners can get a healthy dose of evidence based drug therapy information. TI is an independent organization established by the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
CiTR: similarly, UBC's student-run radio station, CiTR 101.9 FM makes their shows available for download through podcasts. An example is Radio Freethinker - podcast production of CiTR - UBC student radio.
What Do I Need?
We will be focusing on audio podcasts because they are easier to make than video. You only need 2 things to start recording: a microphone and the software. Once you have both, you can start recording!
Software
There are a number of free applications you can use to record audio. The following software either comes pre-installed on your operating system, while others are free downloads:
Microphones
Here are a few useful links if you're looking at microphones.
The DIY Media website has a page on microphone suggestions, going over the various types of microphones available.
- Choosing Microphones is a 4-minute video from lynda.com which has some helpful tips for deciding what kind of microphone will best suit your needs.
- Wistia's Learning Centre demonstrates the quality of sound achieved with different mics in this 4.5 minute video.
Hardware
To set up your mic, you'll need to configure your settings - this should only take a moment.
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Mac Mac
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- Go to Control Panel and click Sound
- Once a new window opens, go to the Recording Tab.
- By default, you will see the name of the device and sound level meter. If you make any sound near the computer and the bars go up, it means that it is working.
- If it says No audio devices are installed then you will have to get an external microphone.
- In some cases, the device might be disabled. Right-click within the window and choose Show Disabled Devices.
- A list of devices will appear and enable the one you want to use.
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- Open System Preferences and click Sound
- Click on the Input tab.
- You will see a list of devices that you can use and choose the one you want.
- If it is empty then you will need to get an external microphone.
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How Do I Do It?
Step 1: Plan (edit)
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- CHECKLIST:
- check Brainstorm your idea: UBC Mediamakers suggest: "think of radio and podcasts that you enjoy, and what makes them successful. It’s time to put your thoughts down on a page and get those creative juices going. At this step in pre-production don't worry about the details. Let your mind explore and start to connect the dots. Think of what you’re hoping to say, who you may want to speak with, and how you can use sounds to set scenes."
- check Consider your goal: What story am I trying to tell? Why is it important? What do I hope listeners take away from the experience?
- check Gather equipment: See "What Do I Need?" section (Above).
- check Create a test file to practice using software and mic for audio quality.
- check Determine format and timeline: Are you creating a series? How much time will you need to dedicate to your podcasts? Who will help you?
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Keep track of your ideas and develop a written plan or outline so that you can easily discuss with others should you want to collaborate.
Use this Plan Your Audio Project Worksheet to help you plan your podcast.
Equipment and Software
Gather equipment for your podcast project:
- Microphone, either internal to laptop, or an external mic. You can borrow/rent microphones and other equipment from UBC IT - AV Rentals
- Computer or laptop
Software:
- Garageband (Mac) - from the iTunes Store
- Audacity (Mac, PC) - Free from SourceForge
- Mobile - if you need to be mobile (for interviews) and are looking for an all in one recording/hosting option for short podcasts, try the *Opinion podcasting app
- TIPS:
- Listen to podcasts to familiarize yourself with format and style.
- Write down potentially interesting ideas - don't censor yourself.
- Be as clear as you can about your goals - if your podcasts are being developed to support learning - what are the necessary ingredients? What's interesting? Important? Relatable to your audience? What stories can you tell?
- Develop a general written outline of your podcast segments.
- Gather all necessary equipment or make a list of where you can get it.
- Consult with someone who knows about podcasting. See Support Resources for more on this.
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Step 2: Script (edit)
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- CHECKLIST:
- check Review principles for learning, instruction and media development. See Design Principles for Mutimedia
- check Consider the story you want to tell.
- check Create a rough script for your first podcast.
- check Have a colleague review the script for interest, clarity, sound appeal and learning benefit.
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Prepare your content by putting together a script:
- Include an introduction and conclusion section in your podcast
- Write for the ear. Writing for what something sounds like is different than writing for reading. Here are some resources:
- When you are finished writing, read your script aloud to see if it sounds natural.
- Do a mouth edit. Basically read your script to see if you trip over your words - if so - edit them to something that comes more naturally. See Revising Sentences.
- Have a colleague read your script to check if it matches your objectives for learning.
- Mark your script for recording by underlining for emphasis, inserting vertical lines for pauses, arrows for vocal inflections or any other notes
Script Resources
- TIPS:
- Write for your ear and for your mouth. When scripting, write the way you talk.
- One thought per sentence. Keep your sentences brief; this is not the time for a paragraph-long run-on sentence.
- Be concise. Avoid unnecessary description and use direct language.
- Be clear. Avoid jargon and, when possible, acronyms. If you’re using stats, round the numbers or use metaphors to convey meaning.
- Mark your script for recording by underlining for emphasis, inserting vertical lines for pauses, arrows for vocal inflections or any other notes
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Step 3: Record (edit)
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- CHECKLIST:
- check Gather signed consent forms from any people you record.
- check Check for background noise
- check Familiarize yourself with copyright resources and guidelines.
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Before you begin recording get signed permission of people who will be speaking on the podcast. Also, make sure to rehearse the script in order to avoid unnecessary pauses or stumbling on words. Speak in a consistent, natural pace.
Location
- Make sure that you record your podcast in a quiet room.
- Be aware of noise going on outside of the recording room such as construction, busy hallways and loud conversations.
- Turn off fans, A/C, and extra computers that generate noise.
Audio
- Be sure to talk as closely to the mic as you can without distorting the sound, about six inches is a good distance.
- Do a test recording to make sure the surrounding noise isn't too loud or distracting and that you are speaking at an appropriate volume.
- Aim the microphone at chest level instead of directly in front of your mouth
Recording Resources
- TIPS:
- Have a glass of water nearby when recording.
- Rehearse the script and record in small parts so it is easier to edit later.
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Step 4: Edit (edit)
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- CHECKLIST:
- check Asess for pace of the action appropriate (not too fast or too slow).
- check Assess for flow.
- check Eliminate any extraneous information.
- check Get feedback on roughcut from learners (if possible).
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Edit to clip together your recorded audio files and to ensure that audio volume is balanced throughout. Use the noise filter to reduce background noise. Utilize music where ever needed but make sure it is not distracting from the audio.
Editing Resources
- TIPS:
- Utilize the noise filter function to reduce background noise.
- The higher the original audio quality before editing is, (little to no background nosie) the better, there is not too much you can do editing-wise to reduce background noise.
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Step 5: Publish (edit)
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- CHECKLIST:
- check Consider reach. If you want a wide audience, choose an open hosting environment, like iTunes.
- check Consider privacy. If you need a certain amount of project around your content, choose a locally-hosted option, like Kaltura.
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- If you don't require privacy or security settings for your podcast, iTunes is probably your best bet. iTunes is the home of a lot of podcasts, and enables you to reach a wide audience. Students don't need an account to download them. To get on iTunes U, speak to your Instructional Support Unit.
- If you do require security or privacy settings, consider using Kaltura, a UBC-hosted service. Kaltura offers options for learning activities that require students to record, upload and share content through Connect. Compared to YouTube, Kaltura offers more granular control over content and contributors. Here are two pages, detailing how to upload your video to Kaltura and how to share videos.
- Post additional material: if you have worksheets, transcripts, or other material a listener might want, post them somewhere your audience can access.
- After you've finished your project let us know! Get in touch with the CTLT to have your media added to the list of examples, and to join the DIY community!
Publishing your content
When you've finished recording, editing and exporting your content to an acceptable file format, you'll need to publish it so that you can embed it where you like. You can publish your content on:
Embedding your content
Once your content is hosted (on YouTube or Kaltura) you can embed it in a Canvas course, WordPress environment or on a wiki page. See how-tos below.
- TIPS:
- Review your final product with colleagues and double-check that your podcast is delivering the message or story you want it to.
- See audience feedback about the resources you produce, and use it to evaluate and improve your project.
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