DEFINITION
An Internet-based radio show is a pre-recorded audio file available for on-demand listening, featuring different segments (or spots) combined into a single program. *
WORKFLOW
Initial Setup
- Teacher obtains microphone and software for recording.
- Teacher creates website for hosting/sharing audio files.
Ongoing Use
- Students prepare a “storyboard” for the show.
- Students write essays / scripts for each “corner” or spot in the show.
- Students record each show spot, saving each as an audio file.
- Student editor combines audio spots into a single program.
- Teacher publishes final audio file.
The 5.5 minute video, “How We Make a Podcast” by 3rd and 4th graders in Bob Sprankle’s 2006 elementary classroom provides an excellent summary of the radio show production cycle.
TOOLS
for laptop / desktop computers:
- Audacity (free, computer-based, Win/Mac/Linux)
- GarageBand for Mac
for iOS:
- Spreaker DJ (free, for iPad, free Spreaker.com accounts can include 10 hours of audio)
- Spreaker Radio and podcast recorder (free, for all iOS devices, same free hosting limits as above)
- AudioBoo (free, limited to 3 min unless you upgrade, great for individual podcast segments/spots)
- Bossjock Studio ($10, 35 audio “carts” of clips to include, multiple import/export options, imports from GoodReader)
- GarageBand for iOS ($5, multi-track podcast editing “up to 320 bars,” imports from GoodReader)
- Voice Record Pro (free, unlimited recording length, multiple import/export options)
- iPadio (free, runs on iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
- DropVox ($2, records directly to DropBox)
- Rec Pad ($1)
- Mobile Podcaster (free, for WordPress sites)
- Hindenburg Field Recorder ($30, too expensive!)
- More recommendations in this Appolicious list
iOS Utility Apps for Podcasting:
- GoodReader ($5, allows downloading of audio from the web & subsequent “open in app..” to Bossjock and Garageband)
- DropBox (free, 3 GB free hosting)
- SoundCloud (free, but monthly allowed uploads are limited unless you pay $)
VIDEO TUTORIALS
Basic
- What is a Podcast? (8 min, 35 sec)
- Get on Air in 60 seconds | Spreaker Intro Tutorial (2 min, 20 sec)
- Include Audio in KidBlog Post (2 min, 13 sec)
Intermediate / Advanced
- Create a Multi-Track Radio Show (Podcast) with Audacity (20 min, 27 sec)
- All-iPad Class Radio Show with AudioBoo, Bossjock, GoodReader, & SoundCloud (14 min, 38 sec)
- How to copy & paste podcast audio from BossJack on iOS into GarageBand for iOS (3 min, 8 sec) – from “How to Create a Course Podcast with Dropbox in 5 Easy Steps” by Jason Rhode
- Audio Technica ATR 2100 USB mic into Bossjock podcast app for iOS (3 min, 49 sec) by Ray Ortega
- Music Radio Creative Podcast about Adobe Audition by Mike Russell
Mission ‘Pod’sible by Rachelle Wooten (free iBooks eBook for iPad)
EXAMPLES
- Portable Radio: Mr. Toft’s Grade 4/5 class at Berrigan Elementary School in Ottawa, Canada (more info)
- Berwick Lodge Primary School Podcasts (Warragul, Australia)
- Podcasting Library of the Allen Brook School, a K-2 school in Williston, Vermont
- History Now on Cub Radio: Podcasts by elementary students taught by Linda Yolis in California
- Write Out Loud: 4 audio podcasts by Canadian students (2008)
- Math Out Loud: 10 math definition podcasts by Julie McLeod‘s students (2011)
- Radio WillowWeb: Elementary students at Willowdale Elementary in Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Room 208 Podcast: 3rd Graders in Bob Sprankle’s 2006 class in Wells, Maine, USA
- Oak Lawn Hometown School Podcasts (Illinois, USA)
- How and Why to Pray Radio Show (5th graders at FPCE in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA in Nov 2011)
MICROPHONE OPTIONS
- iRig Microphone ($60 – works with iOS and Android, also Apple laptops)
- iRig Mic Cast ($40 - works with iOS and Android, also Apple laptops)
- Plantronics 655 Audio Headset ($30)
- Audio Technica ATR 2100 USB mic ($44)
- Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit ($30 – for supported USB mics)
Mobile Digital Recorders
- Sony ICD PX312 – digital voice recorder ($50)
- RCA VR5330 2GB Digital Voice Recorder ($35)
* Internet-based radio shows CAN be “live” but classroom teachers are encouraged to help students create pre-recorded programs instead. These audio programs are sometimes called “podcasts” or “netcasts” when they allow others to “subscribe” to them using a web feed. The following online services support “live” radio shows:
- Spreaker
- iPadio
- BlogTalkRadio
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES