Planning Podcast Learning

Planning and preproduction is the key learning feature when creating a podcast.

Before students even think of stepping up to the microphone, much planning must be done. 

Students need to keep their audience in mind.Who will listen to the podcast? Is it everyone in the school? Is it parents? Is it students and teachers in another school? Determining who exactly is the audience is an important part of the planning.

Computer requirements

Make sure that you have a computer that can cope with recording, editing and saving podcast files

You need a computer with

• Windows, Apple, Chrome book or Android operating system
• a minimum processor of Intel i5
• 8Gb of memory
• 128Gb hard drive
• access to the school WiFi network

Script Writing

Creating a script is fundamental to the learning process and involves group activity and learning

Whether you have an interview type podcast, narrative, ad-libbed commentary, activity or drama –  behind every great podcast lies a well-written script.

Why?  Because no matter your podcast format, scripts are a vital link in the podcast production process. 

Scripts prepare you and your students for your recording sessions, they also keep things focused, and create excellent learning experience

Lighting

Lighting in a classroom may not be so easy to control but this video provides ideas and identifies more advanced lighting scenarios

The Studio Lighting kit for  Sixth forms, colleges and advanced media courses at University includes LED lighting with Chroma backgrounds to add live video scenes or coloured backgrounds behind presenters.

It comes complete with stands and everything needed for multi-camera podcasts in a carry bag.

Connecting your 4K Video Camera  

To capture a Live video from the 4k camera follow the instructions in this video

Canera pre- recorded video

To capture and record video alfready stored on the SD card in the camera select Mass storage, alternatively use the HDMI cable with miniature HDMI connected to the front of the camera and connected to your PC HDMI input

Recording a Podcast

Different Recording software is needed for Windows, Apple, Chromebook and Android  operating systems. We have created instruction videos for each of them  This video shows you how to Record Videos using the Windows Camera APP

For videos showing how to use Apple, Chromebook or Android versions click the icons below, For audio-only recording choose Audacity or Garage Band

 Editing a podcast

After recording, it's time to edit the recording. You may not have recorded the audio and video in the correct order, so the priority is to create a version with the video and audio clips in the order that you want. Also, clips can be trimmed to delete any unnecessary pauses or interruptions.

This video shows how to use Capcut editing software for Wndows and Apple

 For a more experienced user we've also included a video guide to OBS Studio 

Sound effects are available live on the Smart Sound Card but you can also include music and sounds free of copyright limitations by clicking the link below.

Permissions & Copyright etc

A very important issue not to be overlooked is that of child protection and of gaining parents’ permissions

Permissions are needed from parents or legal guardians and “release to publish” from guests.

Privacy issues relate to access to podcasts by students, teachers, parents and the public.

Copyright infringement and risks of legal action for false or defamatory content also need to be understood by teachers and students before publishing.

Publishing your Podcast

Decide where your are going to watch or publish your completed project

You need to choose where you want to upload and publish your podcast.

Is it just for classroom use where your podcast is shown on a monitor or touch-screen?

Will it be added to the school server so that it can be viewed anywhere in school?

Will it be uploaded to a Cloud Hosting Server where podcasts can be viewed by the teachers and students, or selected groups, such as parents, or to the public.