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Podcasting Across the Curriculum: Giving K–12 Students a Voice

Podcasting isn’t just for true crime fans or celebrity interviews. It’s a versatile, powerful tool for the K–12 classroom. Whether in language arts, science, social studies, or math, podcasting helps students develop research, writing, speaking, and technical skills while engaging in real-world learning. This fall, I’m excited to introduce podcasting into my classroom through a career exploration project, and I want to share some insights about the process and its potential across all subjects.

Why Podcasting?

Podcasting encourages students to think deeply and communicate clearly. It provides a platform for students to share their voices while learning how to organize their ideas for an audience. The medium naturally builds confidence, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, aligning beautifully with 21st-century skills and cross-curricular standards.

Thanks to modern tools like the RØDECaster Pro, it’s easier than ever to record professional-quality audio in a classroom. Students enjoy using real-world equipment, which adds an extra layer of authenticity to their projects. For editing and publishing, we use Canva, not only for trimming audio and adding music but also for creating eye-catching thumbnails and shareable links to our final products. Pro tip: You can even record your audio directly in Canva if you don't have access to high-end recording equipment. This YouTube tutorial offers a concise and helpful introduction to the editing process in Canva.  

We’re also leveraging ideas and resources from the excellent Digital Competency in Action site by LEARN Quebec, which offers step-by-step support for educators interested in starting their podcasting projects.

Our Fall Project: Podcasting Career Exploration

This fall, my students will explore career research and turn their learning into a podcast episode. They can work alone or in groups with peers interested in similar fields. The goal is to go beyond just listing facts. They’ll bring their chosen careers to life through storytelling and structured investigation.

Each podcast will address three main content areas:

🔹 Content 1: Getting Started

  • What career did you pick?

  • Why did it interest you?

  • Where do you expect to live or work?

  • What is the expected salary?

🔹 Content 2: The Day-to-Day

  • What are the typical responsibilities in this career?

  • What skills or qualities are needed to be successful?

  • What is the work environment like?

  • What education, certification, or licensing is required?

🔹 Content 3: The Future

  • What is the job outlook?

  • Are there opportunities for advancement?

Students will write a script or outline, record using the RØDECaster Pro, and edit in Canva. By the end, they’ll have a polished, career spotlight podcast to share with classmates, families, and possibly even the school community.

Applications Across the Curriculum

While this project is rooted in career readiness, podcasting can enhance learning in virtually every subject:

  • Language Arts: Book reviews, author interviews (real or imagined), poetry readings, narrative storytelling

  • Science: Lab reports, environmental debates, interviews with scientists (students or community members)

  • Social Studies: Historical figure profiles, mock news broadcasts, oral histories

  • Math: Real-world applications, math misconceptions episodes, financial literacy advice

  • World Languages: Language learning journeys, cultural explorations, interviews conducted in the target language

  • Art and Music: Artist/band spotlights, process reflections, audio tours of student portfolios

Podcasting enhances assessment by enabling students to synthesize and present information in meaningful, purposeful, and personal ways.

Final Thoughts

Podcasting taps into what students care about most: their voices, their interests, and the chance to be heard. With some guidance and the right tools, they can create content that makes them proud and teaches them a lot along the way.

Whether you’re new to podcasting or aiming to broaden your skills, I suggest starting small, staying adaptable, and learning together with your students. 

Let’s keep learning together - Jennifer
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