Podcasting is a popular form of communication, so why not bring them into the classroom? Students can use podcasts to explore different topics, share their ideas, and connect with others in a meaningful way.

When you think of student podcasting, you might think of a show that is published every week, or perhaps even every day. This is a BIG commitment. I do NOT recommend committing to a regular show, at least not initially.

The good news is that you don’t have to commit to creating weekly or monthly episodes to start a student podcast. You can begin with one episode and see where it goes from there! Publish a new episode whenever you feel like it. Don’t worry about creating episodes on a schedule, just do it when it fits into your class schedule.

Here are five student podcast examples that will get your students excited about learning:

1. Interviews with historical figures

Students can research a historical figure and create a podcast episode from their perspective. This is a great way for students to learn about history in a creative and engaging way.

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There are a variety of new AI tools like SchoolAI that students can use to learn more about historical figures. You could even use a tool like Voki to bring your historical figure to life!

2. Dramatic Reading podcast

This is one of the easiest podcasting options and it works with any writing assignment at any grade level.

Ask students to record a dramatic reading of their essay or writing assignment. Older students can add sound effects and music for added drama. This is a great way for students to improve their writing and public speaking skills.

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I helped do a project like this for a group of kindergarten students who wrote their own variation on cloudy with a chance of meatballs.

This is also the basis for the English 11 podcast from Lansing high school. This podcast is used to help students share their final essays at the end of the year.

3. Learning reflection podcast

Students can record a short reflection on the projects and assignments they completed during the school year. This is a great way for students to document their learning and growth over time.

Related Post: End-of-year Google Slides portfolio

Google Slides is a great way to capture and share these short learning reflections. This activity works with all ages. Here is an elementary example with embedded audio.

4. Whole class podcast

This student podcast example requires more commitment than some of the others.

The Curious Kids podcast consists of segments that are produced by 1-2 students. Students can take turns contributing to the podcast. This is a great way for students to collaborate and learn from each other.

You might commit to publishing 2-4 episodes each year, with different students contributing to each episode. This is a nice way to give students some “skin in the game” by sharing a public summary of their learning.

This example does require more effort from the teacher who will need to combine the segments together and upload them to the podcast host (I recommend Anchor).

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5. Book Report podcast

Students can create a podcast episode to share their thoughts and insights on a book they have read. This is a great way for students to improve their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.

This student podcast example was created using headliner which converts an audio file into a waveform video.

Tools and tips for your classroom

These are just a few student podcast examples to get you started. With a little creativity, you can use podcasts to engage your students in learning and help them develop important skills.

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