The COVID Podcast Assignment
Below is the unit that you were working on before the break. If you recall, we were ready to start recording our podcast about the components of a marketing plan. Though I am sure that this is one of your favorite topics, we are going to switch gears for a bit. Podomatic is offering free upgrades to a Pro Account if you create a podcast channel about the COVID crisis so we are going to take advantage of that in this unit. Please refer to the Audacity and Podomatic screencast tutorials BELOW when creating your channel. The only difference is that you will be graded on a podcast about COVID 19. All due dates will be in Canvas.
IF YOU HAVE ANY COMPUTER TROUBLE IN REGARDS TO THE ASSIGNMENTS, LET ME KNOW. I HAVE ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENTS THAT INVOLVE DOING ONLINE RESEARCH AND WRITING PAPERS ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PODCAST MARKETING. These are not as fun but, if combined with phone recordings of your podcast, they will allow you to learn the material as well (albeit in a less creative/hands-on way).
So let's get started!
IF YOU HAVE ANY COMPUTER TROUBLE IN REGARDS TO THE ASSIGNMENTS, LET ME KNOW. I HAVE ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENTS THAT INVOLVE DOING ONLINE RESEARCH AND WRITING PAPERS ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PODCAST MARKETING. These are not as fun but, if combined with phone recordings of your podcast, they will allow you to learn the material as well (albeit in a less creative/hands-on way).
So let's get started!
COVID Cast Intro
NOTE: These steps are also shown on the screencast tutorial below.
1. Look at the resources below and create a thumbnail to use as artwork for your daily COVID Podcast. Give the podcast a catchy name so that it stands out.
2. Write an intro that will be used for every podcast on your daily show. This will be a separate grade so make it catchy. Use the resources below or any other that you can find online. Note: I have embedded an example of one below for a podcast about UNIT 6 that was given to another class. It is not strictly about COVID but it used the same creative process. Tips: Note how I have a few sound effects and sound excited to be talking to my audience. You have to give them a reason to tune in every day because you will be doing a podcast every day next week.
3. Open Audacity and record your intro. Place appropriate sound effects into it and fade the music out at the end of the intro so listeners can begin to hear your voice in the next step (Click EFFECT, FADE OUT)
4. Click mute on your intro so that it doesn't play when you try to record your podcast episode, then simply start talking. Don't forget to use the FADE IN feature to fade the music back in as you wrap up your final sentences of the podcast.
5. When finished, click File -Export -Mp3.
6. Visit Podomatic.com and set up your account. It will walk you through a few steps in which you upload your mp3 and your artwork. See the video tutorial below for assistance. If you upgrade for free to the Pro Account, you can do a lot more with it!
7. DUE BY SUNDAY 3/29: Your first podcast simply introduces the show and tells listeners what you will be speaking about each day next week. Once you record this short episode, simply click the share button (looks like an arrow) and copy the address to place into Canvas for a grade. Also click the embed code copy button (also in the share section) and embed the episode onto your AUDIO page in your portfolio. I have used this feature to embed the episode below. Just click the little arrow that says share and then go to your Weebly portfolio and drag the embed symbol on so you can copy and paste the coding in.
CONGRATULATIONS! You are now a podcaster!!! Click play on the podcast below to give a listen to my episode. The intro is two minutes long. See if you know what movies the quotes are from.
1. Look at the resources below and create a thumbnail to use as artwork for your daily COVID Podcast. Give the podcast a catchy name so that it stands out.
2. Write an intro that will be used for every podcast on your daily show. This will be a separate grade so make it catchy. Use the resources below or any other that you can find online. Note: I have embedded an example of one below for a podcast about UNIT 6 that was given to another class. It is not strictly about COVID but it used the same creative process. Tips: Note how I have a few sound effects and sound excited to be talking to my audience. You have to give them a reason to tune in every day because you will be doing a podcast every day next week.
3. Open Audacity and record your intro. Place appropriate sound effects into it and fade the music out at the end of the intro so listeners can begin to hear your voice in the next step (Click EFFECT, FADE OUT)
4. Click mute on your intro so that it doesn't play when you try to record your podcast episode, then simply start talking. Don't forget to use the FADE IN feature to fade the music back in as you wrap up your final sentences of the podcast.
5. When finished, click File -Export -Mp3.
6. Visit Podomatic.com and set up your account. It will walk you through a few steps in which you upload your mp3 and your artwork. See the video tutorial below for assistance. If you upgrade for free to the Pro Account, you can do a lot more with it!
7. DUE BY SUNDAY 3/29: Your first podcast simply introduces the show and tells listeners what you will be speaking about each day next week. Once you record this short episode, simply click the share button (looks like an arrow) and copy the address to place into Canvas for a grade. Also click the embed code copy button (also in the share section) and embed the episode onto your AUDIO page in your portfolio. I have used this feature to embed the episode below. Just click the little arrow that says share and then go to your Weebly portfolio and drag the embed symbol on so you can copy and paste the coding in.
CONGRATULATIONS! You are now a podcaster!!! Click play on the podcast below to give a listen to my episode. The intro is two minutes long. See if you know what movies the quotes are from.
Where Do I Go From Here?
This week is about creating two informational pieces then simply doing quick podcast recordings. Easy (but creative) stuff!
From here, life is very simple. Just create a daily podcast series that is FIVE MINUTES in length minimum in which you talk about the topics below. You will also be asked to create a infographic and Public Service Announcement that you will reference during your episodes so make sure you read all of the days assignments now. Feel free to talk longer and to add to the topics. This is just a way to give you some mixed content so that your listeners do not get bored. Remember, you can link this to a website or blog (which we will be doing) and it can be placed on iTunes as well! Turn in the episode address every day to Canvas next week for a grade. Simple huh?
Monday Grade: Podcast, infographic - Episode Topic: How has the COVID crisis effected you and your family? List positive things and negative things that have come out of this. You will also create a COVID infographic in Canva in which you give 4-6 facts in infographic form (more if you choose to do so). Embed this onto your graphics page and reference the page to your "listeners" so they can see the infographic that you are talking about.
Tuesday Grade - Podcast,PSA. Episode Topic: Remaining sane during an isolation period. Things to do to pass the time without going crazy! How can you be productive? Helpful? Entertained? Provide resources and links of things to do. Since we are being prodiuctive, create a public service announcement for COVID in Canva (or any other platform). This will be a poster telling people how to stay safe or why they should practice social distancing. Pretend it will be hung up around town or published in a magazine. Upload it to Canvas.
Wednesday Grade - Podcast Blog Entry. Episode Topic: What do you miss most about not being in school? What is the first thing you will do when the shelter in place ban is lifted and we can get back to "normal life?" When you are finished, create a blog entry about Audacity and Podomatic. What did you like and not like. How can these be used as marketing tools?
Thursday Grade - Podcast. Episode Topic: Digital Learning. Now that we have had digital learning days, what are your thoughts about online courses? Are they worse, the same, better? Should students have the opportunity to take classes totally online and not come to school? How would this effect the school system?
Friday Grade - Podcast and 2nd blog entry. Episode Topic: FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY. Talk about any topic you wish. Pretend to have callers call in as guests or as people who want info from you. When finished make a blog entry that discusses the entire unit. Provide links in the blog entry to your PSA and infographic as well as your channel. Viewers of our blog will be VERY impressed to see all of this!
NOTE: BELOW ARE THE ORIGINAL CONTENTS OF OUR PODCAST UNIT LESSON. PLEASE USE IT AS REFERENCE AS YOU DO THE ASSIGNMENTS ABOVE. THESE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT FOR THE COVID BREAK! THEY ARE WHAT WE WERE WORKIN˝ ON BEFORE THE BREAK - BUT THEY STILL CONTAIN SOME HELPFUL INFO THAT YOU MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN.
From here, life is very simple. Just create a daily podcast series that is FIVE MINUTES in length minimum in which you talk about the topics below. You will also be asked to create a infographic and Public Service Announcement that you will reference during your episodes so make sure you read all of the days assignments now. Feel free to talk longer and to add to the topics. This is just a way to give you some mixed content so that your listeners do not get bored. Remember, you can link this to a website or blog (which we will be doing) and it can be placed on iTunes as well! Turn in the episode address every day to Canvas next week for a grade. Simple huh?
Monday Grade: Podcast, infographic - Episode Topic: How has the COVID crisis effected you and your family? List positive things and negative things that have come out of this. You will also create a COVID infographic in Canva in which you give 4-6 facts in infographic form (more if you choose to do so). Embed this onto your graphics page and reference the page to your "listeners" so they can see the infographic that you are talking about.
Tuesday Grade - Podcast,PSA. Episode Topic: Remaining sane during an isolation period. Things to do to pass the time without going crazy! How can you be productive? Helpful? Entertained? Provide resources and links of things to do. Since we are being prodiuctive, create a public service announcement for COVID in Canva (or any other platform). This will be a poster telling people how to stay safe or why they should practice social distancing. Pretend it will be hung up around town or published in a magazine. Upload it to Canvas.
Wednesday Grade - Podcast Blog Entry. Episode Topic: What do you miss most about not being in school? What is the first thing you will do when the shelter in place ban is lifted and we can get back to "normal life?" When you are finished, create a blog entry about Audacity and Podomatic. What did you like and not like. How can these be used as marketing tools?
Thursday Grade - Podcast. Episode Topic: Digital Learning. Now that we have had digital learning days, what are your thoughts about online courses? Are they worse, the same, better? Should students have the opportunity to take classes totally online and not come to school? How would this effect the school system?
Friday Grade - Podcast and 2nd blog entry. Episode Topic: FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY. Talk about any topic you wish. Pretend to have callers call in as guests or as people who want info from you. When finished make a blog entry that discusses the entire unit. Provide links in the blog entry to your PSA and infographic as well as your channel. Viewers of our blog will be VERY impressed to see all of this!
NOTE: BELOW ARE THE ORIGINAL CONTENTS OF OUR PODCAST UNIT LESSON. PLEASE USE IT AS REFERENCE AS YOU DO THE ASSIGNMENTS ABOVE. THESE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT FOR THE COVID BREAK! THEY ARE WHAT WE WERE WORKIN˝ ON BEFORE THE BREAK - BUT THEY STILL CONTAIN SOME HELPFUL INFO THAT YOU MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN.
Create a Podcast
Let's Have Some Fun With Audio!
Podcasts are becoming very popular right now. With everybody on the go and engaged in multitasking, many executives listen to informative podcasts while doing other tasks. Combined with smart home technology like Alexa and Google home, there is huge potential for generating marketing and advertising revenue! In light of this, let's learn how to make a podcast and create our own channel so that we can discuss how to drive traffic to that channel and get some ad revenue!
Standards Addressed
"Demonstrate the ability to appropriately include audio in digital marketing product."
Statement of Inquiry: "How do you clearly relay information in audio format?"
Note: This project also fulfills your last unit's standards but I want you to see how much this topic can help you with other subject matter!
Questions
'"How do you make a podcast channel and podcast recording?"
"Why are podcasts becoming so popular all of a sudden?"
"What are some good characteristics of a good podcast?"
1. In this lesson we are going to focus on the COMMUNICATION aspect of this standard by learning how to communicate what we have learned through an audio podcast. Each student will be asked to create a podcast intro that will be used for all of their podcast episodes.
2. Next, students will create a 2-6 minute podcast about marketing. This is a chance to show that you understand what we have reviewed up to this point.
3. Finally, the podcast will be exported as an mp3 or wav file so that others can listen to it. It will be placed on podomatic.com as well as your online portfolio.
Lesson Objectives
Learn how to use Audacity and Audition (we will use Audition when we return to school to create some awesome background music for videos)
Learn how to search for free music and sounds
Learn how to export digital audio
Teach other students about something you have learned
Create a podcast
Graded material in this lesson
Podcast Intro
Podcast channel cover art
Final Podcast Episode
Reflection blog entry with podcast link.
Step by Step Directions
Day 1
Step 1: Look at the Audio Script Writing Guide and THIS PAGE to learn about the components of an effective podcast.
Step 2: Listen to my podcast intro by clicking the link below and write a similar script for your opening. The podcast must be about marketing so come up with a catchy name that indicates that you are a high school marketing genius.
Step 1: Look at the Audio Script Writing Guide and THIS PAGE to learn about the components of an effective podcast.
Step 2: Listen to my podcast intro by clicking the link below and write a similar script for your opening. The podcast must be about marketing so come up with a catchy name that indicates that you are a high school marketing genius.
htmlpodcast.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1261 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
Step 3: Download background music and sound effects into a podcast folder on your computer. Scroll down to the AUDIO RESOURCES section for a few sites you can use. Feel free to use any site that works for you. Just type "FREE dog bark mp3" if you want to find a sound effect for a dark bark. Make sure it is a free and not ROYALTY free site. Most people add some sound effects and a few movie quotes with music in the background when they create their podcast intro and it sounds very professional!
DAY 2
Download Audacity and record your introduction.
Step 4: Import the sounds (File-Import -Audio) and place them where you need them on your recording (Chekc out the Audacity tutorial below if you don't know how to do this). Don't forget to record your voice announcing the name of your podcast series! Hint: Highlight sounds with the selection tool (looks like an I beam cursor) or move them along the timeline with the time shift tool (looks like a double sided arrow).
Step 5: Save your intro as an mp3 or wav file when finished. Hint: Click File - Export and save it as an mp3.mNote: It may not let you save as an mp3, so choose wav if this occurs and convert with an online converter such as https://online-audio-converter.com/. Upload this intro file to Canvas for a grade.
DAY 3,4
Step 6: Mute all of your sounds and press record. Begin your 2-5 minute podcast about your chosen Marketing topic. If you are unsure what to seek about, speak about the sections of a marketing plan. Unmute your intro sounds and listen to your entire podcast Save your project if you like what you hear. Export your final podcast as an mp3. See step 5 above for detail about how to do this.
Day 5
Create your cover art and upload the podcast WITH COVER ART to podomatic.com -see below. Note: you can place this on any podcast site you wish. It doesn't have to be podomatic. Embed the player on your portfolio for a grade. Please provide the link in Canvas too. When finished, write a blog reflection as noted below.
DAY 2
Download Audacity and record your introduction.
Step 4: Import the sounds (File-Import -Audio) and place them where you need them on your recording (Chekc out the Audacity tutorial below if you don't know how to do this). Don't forget to record your voice announcing the name of your podcast series! Hint: Highlight sounds with the selection tool (looks like an I beam cursor) or move them along the timeline with the time shift tool (looks like a double sided arrow).
Step 5: Save your intro as an mp3 or wav file when finished. Hint: Click File - Export and save it as an mp3.mNote: It may not let you save as an mp3, so choose wav if this occurs and convert with an online converter such as https://online-audio-converter.com/. Upload this intro file to Canvas for a grade.
DAY 3,4
Step 6: Mute all of your sounds and press record. Begin your 2-5 minute podcast about your chosen Marketing topic. If you are unsure what to seek about, speak about the sections of a marketing plan. Unmute your intro sounds and listen to your entire podcast Save your project if you like what you hear. Export your final podcast as an mp3. See step 5 above for detail about how to do this.
Day 5
Create your cover art and upload the podcast WITH COVER ART to podomatic.com -see below. Note: you can place this on any podcast site you wish. It doesn't have to be podomatic. Embed the player on your portfolio for a grade. Please provide the link in Canvas too. When finished, write a blog reflection as noted below.
Notes About Creating Cover Art
Create your cover art in Photoshop, Canva, or any other application and create a 600x600 pixel picture. This is the picture that people will see that is attached to your podcasts in Podomatic and iTunes. The marketing thumbnail to the left of this paragraph is an example of the one I use for my marketing podcasts. Make sure yours has the name of your podcast show (for example, Marketing in Minutes). My image is 600x600 pixels and 72 dpi. You can also embed a player like the one shown below by clicking PUBLISH/PODCAST/MANAGE/SHARE&EMBED. Your cover art will be a grade so make it snazzy.
Resources That Will Help You Succeed
Watch These First
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmPqf8dnjao
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K2QIkAvFeg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx0qNiuf2qo
This is a Very Simple Intro Example:
"Hello and welcome to the ______ podcast. I am your host (enter your name) and and every episode I talk about ____. You can find more about us online at (enter web address) and follow us at (enter social handles). SO without any further delay, let's get into the show! (Music fades out). Today we are here with special guest____ and we are talking about _____."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmPqf8dnjao
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K2QIkAvFeg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx0qNiuf2qo
This is a Very Simple Intro Example:
"Hello and welcome to the ______ podcast. I am your host (enter your name) and and every episode I talk about ____. You can find more about us online at (enter web address) and follow us at (enter social handles). SO without any further delay, let's get into the show! (Music fades out). Today we are here with special guest____ and we are talking about _____."
Below is a screencast that will help you select and move your sound files once they are imported into Audacity. It references a podcast script site that no longer exists but all info is current. Enjoy!
Audio Resources
blocked at school www.moviewavs.com
blocked at school - soundjay.com
blocked at school soundbible.com
sampleswap.org
good background music
freebackgroundtracks.net
movie-sounds.org
rosswalker.co.uk/movie_sounds
https://www.pacdv.com/sounds/
freesound.org
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Podomatic Tutorial
Below is an actual audio player form podcast-o-matic. You will be making your own so that others can hear your brilliance. Click the video below and follow the directions. As always, send me a quick message if you get stuck and I will be happy to help you out.
Reminder: If you need to convert to your file from wav to mp3 for some reason (i.e. you can't get podomatic to upload the wav file, you can convert the file at sites such as https://online-audio-converter.com/
Reminder: If you need to convert to your file from wav to mp3 for some reason (i.e. you can't get podomatic to upload the wav file, you can convert the file at sites such as https://online-audio-converter.com/
Podcast Rubric
25 pts - Podcast episode is at least 3 minutes of talking (not including the intro)
10 pts -Podcast has an outro ( usic that fades out at the end as you tell people when to check back for your next podcast)
25 pts -Intro has at least 3-7 sound effects (any sound file you find online)
25 pts -Podcast is uploaded correctly to Podomatic (or any other platform you know) and embedded onto your website. Provide the link in Canvas as well.
10 pts -Podcast has an outro ( usic that fades out at the end as you tell people when to check back for your next podcast)
25 pts -Intro has at least 3-7 sound effects (any sound file you find online)
25 pts -Podcast is uploaded correctly to Podomatic (or any other platform you know) and embedded onto your website. Provide the link in Canvas as well.
Blog Reflection
This is your final grade for this assignment. When finished with this assignment, please create a blog post about what you have learned. Provide a link on your blog post to your Audio page that houses your podcast so people can hear it. DISCUSS A FEW STEPS TO CREATING A GOOD PODCAST. HOW WOULD YOU MARKET THIS AND GET PEOPLE TO SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR CHANNEL? PLEASE ANSWER LIKE A MARKETING STUDENT!