Skip to Main Content
Research Guides

EDUC 313: Social Emotional Learning and Development

Podcast Tips

Podcasts, voiceovers, bears, oh my! Take stock of your background noise: fans, A/Cs, dogs barking, kids playing. Do what you can to minimize those sounds — turn off the fan, close doors to muffle loud noises in other rooms. But remember: it's not the end of the world if you can't control the noise around you.

When recording only audio, there are two options:

  • Computer: Record in Zoom, and Zoom will provide an “audio_only” file!

  • Smartphone: Smartphones should have built-in recording apps!

    • iPhone: Voice Memos

    • Android: Voice Recorder

The EarPods that come with most Apple products have built-in mics, which capture your voice just as well as some external microphones do!

No matter what editing tool you use, remember to collect all the media files you’re using for a podcast in ONE FOLDER.

Free Audio Editing Tools

Mac

Garageband, Audacity
Windows

Audacity
Browser-based

Audiomass (*Use in conjunction with a smartphone editor if possible.)
iPhone/iPad Garageband, Ferrite
Android

n-Track                                             

Documentation

Garageband: Podcasting with Garageband

Audacity: How to Record and Edit a Podcast in Audacity

Ferrite: Ferrite tutorial playlist

n-Track: n-Track for Android tutorials

Podcast Styles

Podcasts and audio stories can be created in all sorts of styles. Which one you choose depends on your comfort, resources, and audience. Here are a few examples of some more commonly used styles - and don’t forget, you can always build a hybrid if it makes more sense for your project.

Storyboards

A storyboard is the equivalent of an outline for a paper. When you create a media project, you start with a storyboard.

A storyboard serves the following purposes:

  • Allows you to gather your ideas before you begin working with video or audio content.
  • Encourages you to think about all elements of your digital story: visual, textual, audible.
  • Allows you to quickly sketch and try out different ideas Helps identify resources needed to complete the project and whether you can find them or need to create them yourselves.
  • Generates questions that can help you decide whether your scope is achievable or not.
  • Are works in progress, just like outlines. They’ll change as you work on your project
  • Serve as a quick reference: Did you address all the required elements, such as length and content?

If you’re writing a full script out first, it shouldn’t be longer than 2 double-spaced pages or reading it will take longer than 3 to 4 minutes.

Tools for building storyboards 

Storyboard Templates

2-column storymapping approach 

 

Find Images and Media

If you'd like to distribute your media beyond the classroom, you should search for content in the public domain or under Creative Commons. 

The Media Libguide is a great resources summary. Scroll down a bit to get to the Audio section.

What is Creative Commons? Check out this guide or this infographic

Subjects: Education