PROJECT PLANNER

Introduction to Podcasting | Grades: 9-12/Radio & TV

Step 1: Project Idea

Instructions:
Beginning with your learning goals and what you know about your students’ strengths, interests, and needs, map out a “big picture” overview of your
project.

Driving "How can we, as aspiring broadcasters, utilize the power of podcasting to create an engaging and informative episode that not
Question only resonates with our target audience but also showcases our storytelling and production skills?"

Learning Content Mastery: Students will demonstrate a deep understanding of their chosen podcast topic, presenting well-researched
Goals and informative content.

Scripting and Storytelling: Students will develop effective scripts, incorporating storytelling techniques to engage their
audience and convey information cohesively.

Audience Analysis: Students will define and understand their target audience, tailoring content and language to suit the
demographic and psychographic characteristics of their listeners.

Technical Proficiency: Students will acquire proficiency in using recording equipment, demonstrating proper microphone
techniques and understanding recording software functionality.

Editing Skills: Students will demonstrate basic and advanced editing skills, including cutting, trimming, adjusting audio levels,
and incorporating music or sound effects to enhance the podcast.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- ShareAlike 4.0 International License. It is designed by PBLWorks to be adapted by teachers and used with students in
the classroom.
 Collaboration and Communication: Students will work collaboratively in teams, effectively communicating ideas, providing
constructive feedback, and refining their podcast episodes based on peer input.

Reflection and Iteration:Students will engage in reflective practices, critically evaluating their work and the work of their peers,
identifying areas for improvement, and iterating on their podcast episodes.

Presentation and Delivery: Students will showcase effective oral communication skills, delivering their podcast episodes with
clear enunciation, appropriate pacing, and engaging delivery.

Copyright and Ethical Considerations: Students will understand the importance of copyright in podcasting, ensuring that
music and other elements used in their episodes adhere to legal and ethical standards.

Project Management: Students will effectively manage their time, meeting deadlines for research, scripting, recording, editing,
and finalizing their podcast episodes.

Project Podcast Production:

Summary
In this project-based learning experience, high school broadcasting students will immerse themselves in the world of podcast
production. Over the course of two weeks, students will collaboratively plan, record, and edit a podcast episode on a topic of their
choice. The project is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of podcasting, from initial concept
development to the final edited product.

Project Overview:
Students will begin by exploring the podcasting landscape, gaining insights into its history, evolution, and significance in the digital
age. Following this, they will delve into the process of selecting a compelling podcast topic and defining a target audience, aligning their
content with demographic and psychographic considerations.

The planning phase will involve structuring the podcast episode, scripting key elements, and preparing for the recording process.
Emphasis will be placed on storytelling techniques to create engaging and informative content. Students will also familiarize
themselves with recording equipment and practice essential voice recording techniques.

Moving into the second week, students will advance to the recording and editing phase. They will apply their knowledge of advanced
recording techniques, including guest interviews, to enrich the podcast content. The introduction to editing software will equip
students with the skills needed to edit and refine their recorded segments, adding music and sound effects to enhance the overall
listening experience.
 Throughout the project, students will work collaboratively in teams, providing and receiving constructive feedback. The final stage
involves presenting their podcast episodes to the class, creating a platform for peer evaluation and reflection on the entire podcast
production process.

This project aims to cultivate not only technical skills in podcast production but also critical thinking, effective communication, and
collaborative teamwork. Students will gain a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling through audio mediums while preparing
them for potential future careers in broadcasting or related fields.

● Key Skills and Concepts:

●
● Podcasting fundamentals
● Target audience analysis
● Scripting and storytelling techniques
● Voice recording and editing proficiency
● Collaboration and teamwork
● Project management and time allocation
● Ethical considerations in media production
● Effective oral communication skills

Assessment:Assessment will be based on the quality of podcast episode scripts, the proficiency demonstrated in recording and editing,
adherence to copyright and ethical standards, effective collaboration within teams, and the final presentation of podcast episodes. Peer
feedback and self-reflection will also contribute to the overall assessment process.

Individual Products Team Products

Major
Product(s) Podcast Episodes, Idea/Sales Pitch, Panel Discussion, Social Media Page/Channel Creation
Speech/Debate, Music/Entertainment

Making it Students will make their learning public by having the opportunity to post their projects on their own social media pages, some
Public snippets of podcasts will be included in the school’s weekly announcements, and also published on the school’s YouTube channel.

Key Project Project Rubric: Can be found below Step 3

Documents
Step 2: Project Path Overview
Milestone
Introduction to the podcast production
project, setting the stage for student
engagement and participation.
Milestone
The Build Knowledge and
Develop & Critique phase
focuses on deepening
students' understanding of
podcasting, refining their
podcast concepts, and
developing essential skills
Project Launch
Anticipated Student Need to Learning Experiences
Know Question (Lessons, Activities, and Scaffolds)
What is the significance of
podcasting in the realm of Introduction to Podcasting
broadcasting, and how can we Discussion on Potential Podcast Topics
leverage this medium to create
impactful content? Defining the Audience
Choosing a Topic and Outlining Structure
Scripting Essentials
Introduction to Recording Equipment
Homework Assignment
Build Knowledge and Develop & Critique
Anticipated Student Need to Learning Experiences
Know Question (Lessons, Activities, and Scaffolds)
How can we effectively Choosing a Topic and Defining the Audience
plan, script, and produce
Planning Episode Structure and Content
a podcast episode that
resonates with our Scripting Essentials
chosen audience and Preparation for Recording
showcases our
for successful podcast
production.
Milestone
This is the culmination of the
podcast production project,
where students showcase
their finalized podcast
episodes to the class.
Step 3: Day-by-Day Calendar
Day 1
Week 1: Planning and Week 1: Planning and
Scripting Scripting
storytelling and Recording the Podcast Episode
production skills? Advanced Recording Techniques and Guest
Interviews
Introduction to Editing Software
Adding Music and Finalizing Edits
Present Products (1 - 2 hours)
Anticipated Student Need to Know Learning Experiences
Question (Lessons, Activities, and Scaffolds)
How can we effectively present and
share our podcast episodes, ensuring Peer Listening and Reflection
they captivate our audience and reflect
our growth in podcasting skills? Q&A Session and Feedback
Reflection on the Podcast Production Process
Celebration of Achievements
Wrap-Up and Project Debrief
Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
Week 1: Planning and Week 1: Planning and Week 1: Planning and
Scripting Scripting Scripting

Day 1: Introduction to
Podcasting and Topic
Selection
Overview of podcasting:
What is a podcast, and why
is it a powerful medium?
Discussion on potential
podcast topics.
Brainstorming session:
Students generate ideas for
their podcast episodes.
Homework: Research and
shortlist podcast topics.
Day 6
Week 2: Recording and
Editing
Day 6: Recording the
Podcast Episode
Assessment: Recorded
podcast segments
Day 2: Choosing a Topic and
Defining the Audience
Discuss the importance of a
well-defined target
audience.
Analyze demographics and
psychographics related to
selected topics.
Teams or individuals choose
a podcast topic and define
their target audience.
Homework: Develop a brief
outline for the chosen
podcast topic.
Day 7
Week 2: Recording and
Editing
Day 7: Advanced Recording
Techniques and Guest
Interviews
Day 3: Planning Episode
Structure and Content
Introduction to podcast
episode structures (e.g.,
introduction, main content,
conclusion).
Discuss content planning,
including key points, stories,
and potential interviews.
Teams outline the structure
and content for their
podcast episodes.
Homework: Draft a script
outline for the podcast
episode.
Day 8
Week 2: Recording and
Editing
Day 8: Introduction to
Editing Software
Day 4: Scripting Essentials
Assessment: Podcast
episode scripts (Day 4)
Overview of podcast
scripting: The importance of
concise and engaging
scripts.
Hands-on activity: Students
start drafting scripts for their
podcast episodes.
Peer review: Teams
exchange script outlines for
feedback.
Homework: Refine and
finalize the podcast episode
scripts.
Day 9
Week 2: Recording and
Editing
Day 9: Adding Music and
Finalizing Edits
Day 5: Preparing for
Recording
Introduction to voice
recording equipment and
techniques.
Demonstration of proper
microphone use and
recording software.
Teams practice recording
short segments to
familiarize themselves with
the equipment.
Homework: Prepare
recording setups and
environments.
Day 10
Week 2: Recording and
Editing
Day 10: Peer Listening and
Reflection
Assessment: Edited and
finalized podcast episodes
 ● Discuss advanced ● Overview of editing ● Discuss the role of ● Teams share their
● Teams record their recording software (Audacity). music in podcasts finalized podcast
podcast episodes. techniques. ● Basic editing and copyright episodes with the
● Instructor provides ● Introduce the functions: Cutting, considerations. class.
guidance on pacing, concept of guest trimming, and ● Demonstration of ● Peer listening
tone, and overall interviews for adjusting audio adding music and session: Each team
delivery. podcast episodes. levels. sound effects to provides feedback
● Peer review: Teams ● Teams practice ● Hands-on activity: enhance the on their peers'
share recorded incorporating guest Import recorded podcast. episodes.
segments for interviews or segments and begin ● Teams incorporate ● Reflect on the
constructive simulate interview the editing process. music and finalize podcast production
feedback. scenarios. ● Homework: edits for their process and lessons
● Homework: Review ● Homework: Continue refining podcast episodes. learned.
feedback and make Research potential and editing podcast ● Homework: Review ● Finalize any
necessary guests and finalize episodes. and polish the final remaining edits
adjustments to interview questions. podcast episodes. based on feedback.
recordings.

Additional assessments: Peer feedback and reflections will be done throughout the project

Rubric for Introduction to Podcasting Project

Criteria 1 (Below 2 (Approaching 3 (Meets 4 (Exceeds 5

Expectations) Expectations) Expectation Expectations) (Outstanding)
s)

Application Concepts are Concepts are Concepts are Concepts are Concepts are
of Production not applied somewhat applied applied applied
Concepts effectively or applied but with correctly and creatively and exceptionally
accurately inconsistencies effectively with with mastery
 innovation

Design of Audio project Audio project Audio Audio project Audio project
Audio design lacks design partly project design design
Projects professional incorporates design demonstrates showcases
principles professional incorporates advanced exceptional
principles professional professional professional
principles principles principles
effectively

Mastery of Mastery of Some elements Aesthetics Aesthetics are Aesthetics are

Aesthetics aesthetics is of aesthetics are are demonstrated demonstrated
lacking demonstrated demonstrate with a high with
d effectively level of exceptional
proficiency skill and
artistry

Proper Use of Improper use Basic use of Proper use of Advanced use Exceptional
Studio of equipment equipment and equipment of equipment use of
Equipment and techniques and and equipment and
and techniques demonstrated techniques techniques techniques
Techniques shown demonstrated displayed
Collaboration Rarely Somewhat Collaborates Collaborates Collaborates
and collaborates collaborates or and engages actively and constructively,
Teamwork or engages in engages in in teamwork contributes leads
teamwork teamwork effectively positively to effectively, and
teamwork enhances team
collaboration

Additional Context:

● Feedback received from peers and instructors should be utilized for improvement.
● The project presentation should demonstrate clear communication and articulation of ideas.
● Creativity and originality in podcast content creation should be encouraged and rewarded.
● Time management and meeting project deadlines will be considered in the evaluation.