INSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE TO PODCAST ASSIGNMENTS
Introduction
This guide is designed to help you, the instructor, integrate digital humanities assignments into your existing syllabi. We will break down why podcasts are useful for students and scholars, what a podcast assignment is designed to teach, how students will be successful, and what resources are available for students and professors to ensure a positive learning experience.
Why are Podcasts Useful Tools for Scholars?
Podcasts are an increasingly popular way for individuals to connect with broad audiences. Millions of people turn to Spotify, Apple Music, and other audio streaming services every day to find educational content on topics they enjoy, including history, language, and literature.
Universities, museums, scholars, and enthusiasts around the globe are creating their own podcast series to engage with audiences on scholarly themes. In this assignment, students will make their own short educational podcast episode.
Goal of the Assignment
A podcast assignment aims to develop students’ digital dexterities. It can ask students to utilize the same writing, research, and argumentation skills they would use in a historical or literary essay, but it adds further opportunity for students to experiment with video production skills. Language students may find podcast assignments a good alternative to in-class skits as they practice the same skills while allowing for multiple takes.
What level of digital skill do my students need to demonstrate?
To be successful in this assignment, all we are asking students to do is produce a short podcast. It can be as basic as a single, unedited audio clip.
As this is a humanities course and not a media production course, the content of the recording is much more important than the quality.
How to Record a Podcast
Students will be given two paths for making a podcast for this assignment: 1) a basic podcast and 2) how to go above and beyond.
In both cases, we are assuming that students are using free tools available on their smart phones or laptops. Students will NOT be expected to purchase any equipment or software to be successful in this assignment.
Example Podcasts
Looking for podcast inspiration? Check out a few of our favorites below.