TeachersFirst's Podcast Creators

Engage and motivate your learners to create podcasts. Students can create podcasts to share with their peers and demonstrate content mastery. Podcasts are the perfect alternative for students who may have difficulty putting the word on paper, as they can share their information orally. In addition, students can record podcasts anytime a device is available, making this an ideal activity for multiple instructional scenarios, including in-person, remote, blended, and small group projects. In this collection, we share valuable tools for students to create educational podcasts. 

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Claude - Anthropic

Grades
K to 12
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Claude is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that serves many purposes, such as summarizing and analyzing information, translating text and data, and creating ideas and responses...more
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Claude is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that serves many purposes, such as summarizing and analyzing information, translating text and data, and creating ideas and responses to text. One useful feature in Claude is adding up to five files in PDF, txt, CSV, and other formats. Begin by creating an account using your email address or Google account. Enter your message in the chat box, and Claude will respond based on your input. Use the option to regenerate the request if you want to see different answers, or use the chat box to type in clarifying information to improve the response. View your chat history below the message box and click any chat to review the reply. Use the drop box with the message's title to rename the chat or delete it from your history. Always verify any information provided by ChatGPT before using it. Claude is an evolving tool, and many features regularly change (or upgrade).

tag(s): artificial intelligence (148), chat (41), search strategies (22)

In the Classroom

Use this resource to improve productivity by asking it to create quizzes, rubrics, lesson plans, and more. Because Claude includes the option to add files, increase productivity further by attaching a worksheet and asking it to modify the content to differentiate learning or to suggest ideas for presenting the content in a different format. Be sure to ask for information as precisely as possible by including grade-level information, the subject you teach, content standards and teaching objectives, and options for differentiating instruction. Math teachers can ask Claude to explain the content differently or ask for ideas on applying math topics to everyday life. In social studies or science, ask Claude to generate a vocabulary list or create a story based on your lessons incorporating essential vocabulary terms. ELA teachers might use Claude to get suggestions for interventions to support struggling readers or to find additional resources to support current lessons. Always verify any information provided by ChatGPT before using it. Claude is an evolving tool, and many features change (or upgrade) regularly.

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Zencastr - Zencastr

Grades
6 to 12
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Zencastr is a podcast hosting and creation tool that provides many free resources for members. The free option includes unlimited audio and video recording, unlimited audio uploads...more
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Zencastr is a podcast hosting and creation tool that provides many free resources for members. The free option includes unlimited audio and video recording, unlimited audio uploads and hosting, options for recording on several tracks, and many other excellent features. Begin by creating and verifying your account. After logging in to your account, begin with the link to add information about your show. Next, follow the prompts to add a cover image and description of the podcast. Then, add an episode by uploading a file from your device or selecting the record button to record a new broadcast. Next, include up to twelve participants in your recording by providing access through the invite button. When finished, use the produce and publish link to complete the publication of your podcast episode. Finally, share podcasts using the share link that includes a custom URL or sharing to social media sites.

tag(s): podcasts (104), sound (73)

In the Classroom

Learn more about ways to incorporate podcasting in the classroom by viewing the archive of the OK2Ask: Podcasting 101: Using Podcasts in the Classroom, available here. Engage students in upcoming lessons by creating and sharing short podcasts as a preview for books to read or about historical characters featured in an upcoming unit. Use Zencastr to create videos for flipped or blended learning lessons. Enhance learning by asking students to create podcasts to share their learning and understanding of topics in a new way. For example, instead of writing a report about George Washington, ask students to create a multi-episode podcast that features important events in his life. Share student and teacher-created podcasts on your class website. Find several free and easy web page makers on TeachersFirst Edge.

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RedCircle - Red Circle Technologies, Inc.

Grades
6 to 12
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RedCircle is a podcast-hosting and support service. The free plan provides unlimited storage, bandwidth, and downloads supporting one podcast. Begin by creating and verifying your account,...more
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RedCircle is a podcast-hosting and support service. The free plan provides unlimited storage, bandwidth, and downloads supporting one podcast. Begin by creating and verifying your account, then select from the options to add a podcast. Options include importing a current podcast or creating a new podcast. To create a new podcast, add an image and complete the information boxes to add descriptive information. Then, follow the prompt to develop your podcast; next, select your podcast to manage, add, and edit episodes. Upload saved MP3 files from your device to each episode and set the time and date for publication. Share published episodes using the URL provided or copy the HTML code to embed a podcast player in an online document such as a website.

tag(s): podcasts (104), sound (73)

In the Classroom

Learn how to incorporate podcasting in the classroom by viewing the archive of the OK2Ask: Podcasting 101: Using Podcasts in the Classroom webinar available here. As an easy introduction to podcasting, ask students to create an audio recording of a read-aloud book, a story they created, or the morning announcements. Upload their podcast recording and share it on your class website or with parents. As students become familiar with creating podcasts, use this tool for several purposes, such as discussions of current lessons learned in math, an explanation of a science experiment, or a day in the life of a historical character. Extend learning by embedding or linking student podcasts as part of a larger multimedia project created using a webpage creator such as Webnode, reviewed here, or add a link within a timeline created using Canva's Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here.

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Pinecast - Pinecast

Grades
6 to 12
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Pinecast is a podcast hosting service that offers a free option and helpful tips for creating and sharing podcasts. The free option includes uploads of up to 48MB, two free ...more
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Pinecast is a podcast hosting service that offers a free option and helpful tips for creating and sharing podcasts. The free option includes uploads of up to 48MB, two free shows with up to ten episodes, and no time limit. First, use your email to create and verify an account. Once logged in to your account, select the link to set up a podcast from scratch. Then, complete the information boxes to provide your podcast's name and description information. After completing the basic information, it is time to upload a new episode by following the steps that include providing a title, adding an MP3 file, date and time of the episode's release. Save when ready, then share your podcast using the custom URL provided.

tag(s): editing (92), podcasts (104), sound (73)

In the Classroom

Use Pinecast in a variety of ways in your classroom. First, let students become familiar with how to create audio files by practicing creating and sharing voice recordings of read-alouds. Then, as students become familiar with this tool, use it as a simple tool for uploading and sharing audio productions. For example, ask students to use Pinecast to record interviews with parents or other family members. For example, when studying immigration, ask students to record the story of a family member who immigrated to the U.S. Include student-created podcasts as a link within larger multimedia projects such as those created using Sway, reviewed here, or within an interactive map project made with Google My Maps, reviewed here.

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Castbox Creator Studio - Castbox

Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites 0  Comments
  
Castbox provides tools for creating and sharing podcasts. First, create a free account, then begin by entering the Creator Studio. Next, select the upload icon to drag and drop your...more
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Castbox provides tools for creating and sharing podcasts. First, create a free account, then begin by entering the Creator Studio. Next, select the upload icon to drag and drop your media file in a supported format of up to 400M. When the file begins uploading, complete the areas provided to include basic information for your files, such as a title, description, and publication date and time. Castbox also offers an option to upload an image for your cover design. When finished, select Publish to complete the creation of your podcast. Finally, click on your podcast to listen and share using the link or social media links provided.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): communication (138), DAT device agnostic tool (147), digital storytelling (152), podcasts (104)

In the Classroom

Castbox is an excellent podcast-sharing option for simple podcasts or when sharing audio recordings that have already been edited, for example, using editing tools on your computer. Create regular or special podcasts to share on your class web page or wiki. Are you looking for even more ideas? Record class assignments or directions. Record story time or a reading excerpt for younger ones to listen to at a computer center AND from home, adding a touch of blended learning to your classroom! Have readers (perhaps older buddies) enhance their learning and build fluency by recording selected passages for your non-readers. Launch a service project for your fifth or sixth graders to record stories for the kindergarten to use in their reading and listening center. Challenge students to create "you are there" recordings as "eyewitnesses" to historical or current events. Make a weekly class podcast, with students taking turns writing and sharing the "Class News," encourage and extend learning and have students create radio advertisements for concepts studied in class (Buy Dynamic DNA!). Invite students to write and record their own stories or poetry in dramatic readings. World language students or beginning readers could record their fluency by reading passages. Allow parents to hear their child's progress reading aloud, etc. Compare world language, speech articulation, or reading fluency at two points during the year. Challenge your Shakespeare students to record a soliloquy. Write and record a poem for Father's or Mother's Day (or other special events) and send the URL as a gift to that special person. If you have gifted students who lean toward the dramatic, this tool is simple enough for them to create dramatic mini-casts without needing any additional tools. Learn more about using podcasts in the classroom by watching this archive of the OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire: Podcasting in the Classroom available here.

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Acast - Acast

Grades
K to 12
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Start or convert your podcasting to Acast's free account. There are many benefits to a free account, such as unlimited hours of audio and editing; with Acast, there are no ...more
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Start or convert your podcasting to Acast's free account. There are many benefits to a free account, such as unlimited hours of audio and editing; with Acast, there are no limits for storage, uploads, or downloads. In addition, you will have your own podcast website that updates automatically, and, unlike other podcast programs, there are no limits to which podcast app you use, and a bonus to that is a one-click distribution to all podcast listening apps. Another advantage with Acast is that you get a free web player that can be embedded on your website, blog, and social media. On top of all that, you get free analytics that shows episode performance, geography, and more. As if all of this isn't enough, if you use another podcasting program, easily switch over to Acast. Be sure to look at the Acast Essentials Toolkit which is free and will explain all areas of podcast production and it features insights from well-known podcast creators.

tag(s): communication (138), digital storytelling (152), podcasts (104)

In the Classroom

With older students (and strong readers), you may want to pair them up and have them read Aclass Essentials for the basics of podcasting. Using Fiskkit, reviewed here, with this article will enhance student learning. For younger students or weaker readers, use Read Ahead, reviewed here, on your whiteboard or with a projector for a guided reading session. There are many uses for podcasting in a classroom! Create regular podcasts to share on your class web page or wiki. Record class assignments or directions. Record story time or a reading excerpt for younger ones to listen to at a computer center AND from home, adding a touch of blended learning to your classroom! Have readers (perhaps older buddies) enhance their learning and build fluency by recording selected passages for your non-readers. Launch a service project for your fifth or sixth graders to record stories for the kindergarten to use in their reading and listening center. Challenge students to create "you are there" recordings as "eyewitnesses" to historical or current events. Make a weekly class podcast, with students taking turns writing and sharing the "Class News," encourage and extend learning and have students create radio advertisements for concepts studied in class (Buy Dynamic DNA!). Invite students to write and record their own stories or poetry in dramatic readings. English language learners or students just beginning to read could record their fluency by reading passages. Allow parents to hear their child's progress reading aloud, etc. Compare world language, speech articulation, or reading fluency at two points during the year. Challenge your Shakespeare students to record a soliloquy. Write and record a poem for Father's or Mother's Day (or other special events) and send the URL as a gift to that special person. If you have gifted students who lean toward the dramatic, this tool is simple enough for them to create dramatic mini-casts without needing any additional tools.

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Podcast Generator - Alberto Betella

Grades
1 to 12
3 Favorites 0  Comments
  
Podcast Generator is a free download for uploading and publishing audio and video podcasts. Install the software using the three-step setup wizard to begin. The generator also includes...more
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Podcast Generator is a free download for uploading and publishing audio and video podcasts. Install the software using the three-step setup wizard to begin. The generator also includes options for customizing the appearance of podcasts using themes. Podcast Generator works on most desktops, laptops and web browsers, AND this download seamlessly integrates with the Apple store for uploading podcasts to iTunes.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): blended learning (37), communication (138), podcasts (104), video (262)

In the Classroom

Create regular or special podcasts to share on your class web page or wiki. Create a mini gallery of images taken during a lab or a portfolio of images from photography, art, or any other class. Add music and share as part of a digital portfolio. Looking for even more ideas? Use this tool in your blended or flipped classroom to record class assignments or directions. Record story time or a reading excerpt for younger ones to listen to at a computer center AND from home, adding a touch of blended learning to your classroom! Have readers (perhaps older buddies) build fluency by recording selected passages for your non-readers. Launch a service project for your fifth or sixth graders to record stories for the kindergarten to use in their reading and listening center. Challenge students to create "you are there" recordings as "eyewitnesses" to historical or current events. Make a weekly class podcast, with students taking turns writing and sharing the "Class News," encourage students to create radio advertisements for concepts studied in class (Buy Dynamic DNA!). Invite students to write and record their own stories or poetry in dramatic readings. Language students or beginning readers could record their fluency by reading passages. Allow parents to hear their child's progress reading aloud, etc. Compare world language, speech articulation, or reading fluency at two points during the year. Challenge your Shakespeare students to record a soliloquy. Write and record a poem for Father's or Mother's Day (or other special events) and send the URL as a gift to that special person.

If you have gifted students who lean toward the dramatic, this tool is simple enough for them to create dramatic mini casts without needing a video camera. Have students upload their own images and write a drama to accompany them, showing what they have learned in independent learning beyond the regular curriculum.

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Buzzsprout - Tom Rossi

Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites 2  Comments
  
Buzzsprout offers free, easy to use, podcast hosting. Sign up to receive two hours of hosting per month. Uploads remain available for 90 days. Buzzsprout's dashboard walks you through...more
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Buzzsprout offers free, easy to use, podcast hosting. Sign up to receive two hours of hosting per month. Uploads remain available for 90 days. Buzzsprout's dashboard walks you through creating and sharing podcasts and provides information on the time remaining in your current cycle. Copy and paste one line of code to include your podcast directly on any website. Attractive features include scheduling episodes for a specific date and time, adding links, lists, chapter markers, and a "Support the show" link to your podcasts. New on Buzzsprout is How to Start a Podcast: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (in only 10 steps!).
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): communication (138), digital storytelling (152), podcasts (104)

In the Classroom

Even if you aren't ready to create podcasts, share the How To Start a Podcast page with your students with excellent tips for creating any type of speaking presentation, create regular or special podcasts to share on your class web page or wiki to read/listen to in class AND from home, adding a touch of blended learning to your classroom! Have readers (perhaps older buddies) enhance their learning by building fluency and recording selected passages for your non-readers. Don't forget to have them listen and critique their podcast! Launch a service project for your fifth or sixth graders to record stories for the kindergarten to use in their reading and listening center. Have students create "you are there" recordings as "eyewitnesses" to historical or current events. Make a weekly class podcast, with students taking turns writing and sharing the "Class News." Have students create radio advertisements for concepts studied in class (Buy Dynamic DNA!). Have students write and record their own stories or poetry in dramatic readings. Language students or beginning readers could record their fluency by reading passages and listening to themselves. Allow parents to hear their child's progress reading aloud, etc. Compare world language, speech articulation, or reading fluency at two points during the year. Have your Shakespeare students record a soliloquy. Write and record a poem for Father's or Mother's Day (or other special events) and send the URL as a gift to that special person. If you have gifted students who lean toward the dramatic, this tool is simple enough for them to create dramatic mini casts without needing a video camera.

Comments

Great resource for podcast novices like me! I love the step-by-step instructions to help with creating a podcast as well as the helpful tips and ideas for a podcast. Can't wait to begin using with my K-5 students. Christina, , Grades: 0 - 8
The podcasting 101 information is incredibly helpful for anyone wishing to begin podcasting. It also establishes tips that can be helpful for any speaker (as the description says). Patricia, NJ, Grades: 6 - 12

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Spreaker - Spreaker Online Radio

Grades
1 to 12
6 Favorites 0  Comments
  
Create a live Internet radio show -- free -- with Spreaker! This super easy online tool creates podcasts instantly for you to share with your own URL, on Facebook, Google ...more
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Create a live Internet radio show -- free -- with Spreaker! This super easy online tool creates podcasts instantly for you to share with your own URL, on Facebook, Google +, Soundcloud, Twitter, or add to the Spreaker website. Follow others, or invite others to follow your podcasts. With a click of a button you are creating a live podcast. To create a podcast you do not need Flash. However, there are several tutorials, and these tutorials require flash. There is a free version and a more deluxe premium version. This review is for the free version.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): communication (138), podcasts (104), radio (20)

In the Classroom

Enjoy a live radio show from your classroom! Publish written pieces of writing, science reports, social studies reports, and any other reports you would like to share. Create a New Book or Book Review podcast for the media center. Link to your podcast URL on your class website. Publish directions to projects, explanations for difficult concepts, or even a radio show of you reading your favorite books for your students. Have upper elementary students take turns reading aloud for a podcast aimed at little reading buddies in kindergarten. Allow students to podcast to "pen pals" in faraway places. Record your school choir, orchestra group, poetry club, or drama club doing their best work or dramatic readings of Shakespeare soliloquies. Take your school newspaper to a new level with recorded radio articles. Be sure to include interviews with students, teachers, principals, parents, authors, artists, and almost anyone. In younger grades, use to save an audio portfolio of reading fluency, expression, or to aid with running records or even include writing. Be sure do this regularly throughout the year to analyze growth. Have fun at Halloween with your Halloween station filled with favorite spooky stories! Welcome your students to a new school year by sending them your message. Create messages for classmates who move away. Bring your foreign language classes an extra resource of your pronunciations whenever they need more practice. ESL/ELL, special education classes can often benefit from the extra explanations, practice, and elaborated instructions given at their own pace. The possibilities are endless! The site itself is a "web 2.0," social networking style site, so some schools may have it blocked. Ask about unblocking just YOUR teacher account so you can have students access it while at school and under your supervision.

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Huffduffer - Huffduffer.com

Grades
9 to 12
2 Favorites 0  Comments
  
Create a podcast out of any audio file on the web. Signing up is easy. Find an audio file online. Enter the URL, title, description of the site, and enter ...more
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Create a podcast out of any audio file on the web. Signing up is easy. Find an audio file online. Enter the URL, title, description of the site, and enter tags. Separate podcasts are created for the different tags that you use. Search the tags that are on Huffduffer to find specific audio files. Add the Huffduffer bookmarklet to Firefox or Chrome to instantly create a podcast from audio files you find online.

tag(s): listening (93), podcasts (104), stories and storytelling (50)

In the Classroom

When finding incredible audio files, be sure to huffduff them in order to share by specific tags. The most popular Huffduffer users are featured on the site, and many interesting podcasts can be found that way. Create podcasts of your own to host online and huffduff those to be tagged and listened to. Find podcasts to share with your students (or parents) on your website. Huffduff audio files from foreign language sites as a listening assignment in your world language class. Share the podcast url to assign the task. Have students create their own Huffduff podcasts of politician soundbytes, poetry readings, or music samplers.

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DIY Podcast - NASA

Grades
K to 12
6 Favorites 0  Comments
   
Create a podcast using audio and videos clips featuring NASA scientists! Follow the steps to create the podcast, including writing a production script, downloading clips, recording...more
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Create a podcast using audio and videos clips featuring NASA scientists! Follow the steps to create the podcast, including writing a production script, downloading clips, recording your narrations, and editing. Use a digital recorder, camcorder, or your computer to record the audio. Download a brochure or bookmark to remember the links for creating the DIY Podcast. Click on the links along the right side of the page for great resources such as the DIY Podcast Blog for some great ideas. Several examples along the side include creating a fitness podcast, lab safety, Newton's Laws, Rocket Science, and Solar Arrays.

tag(s): podcasts (104), scientists (63), space (217)

In the Classroom

Provide example topics to your class once they have tried this site, and let them go! Podcasts can be used in any subject area. In math, have students "teach" the class a new skill via podcast. Rather than a traditional book report, have students create a podcast highlighting the main character, plot, conflict, or storyline or a book. In current events, have cooperative learning groups create a podcast debating a current area of dispute. You could record your assignments or directions; you can record story time or a reading excerpt for younger ones to listen to at a computer center AND from home! Have better readers record selected passages for your non-readers (perhaps older buddies). Launch a service project for your fifth or sixth graders to record stories for the kindergarten to use in their reading and listening center. Have your Shakespeare students record a soliloquy! Write and record a poem for Father's or Mother's Day (or other special events) and send the URL as a gift to that special person. Create great podcasts that can be shared on your wiki site, or blog!

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podomatic - podOmatic

Grades
1 to 12
17 Favorites 1  Comments
  
Create simple audio podcasts using this online tool and the free space they provide. Simply put, this tool lets you create and place sound recordings online for people to listen ...more
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Create simple audio podcasts using this online tool and the free space they provide. Simply put, this tool lets you create and place sound recordings online for people to listen to and/or download from the web. There are MANY free podcasts in a variety of subject areas (art, health, technology, music, business, and more.) We have linked this review directly to the K-12 area within the site. The site includes some social networking tools, so some schools may have it blocked. The site is a "general public" site, so the home page has links to recent podcasts that may not be appropriate for young people. Attach a mike or use your built-in computer mike; create the podcast by clicking a record button, (you may have to tell your computer to "allow" the site to access your mike). Choose a background for your podcast page. Share it with others using one of several sharing options on the "My Podcast" tab, including copying the link. Listeners can listen to it online or download to their MP3 player. You can also create a "minicast" with a simple upload of images and audio that turns your images into a short video. Transitions are also available for your minicast. Share through a blog, twitter, a link or directly to Facebook. There are limits to the amount of file storage for free accounts. The site will tell you how much space each podcast takes and how much you have left. podOmatic does not allow memberships for those under 13. podOmatic now has a free iOS and Android apps.

tag(s): communication (138), DAT device agnostic tool (147), digital storytelling (152), podcasts (104)

In the Classroom

podOmatic does not allow memberships for those under 13. Teachers using this tool with younger students should do so under supervision and with a teacher-controlled account. You will want to supervise or establish consequences so students do not spend time on the public areas of the site and instead proceed to creating their podcasts. This is an opportunity to teach about digital citizenship and safety, such as steering clear of interaction and avoiding sharing any identifiable information about yourself in a podcast. You may want to share the links to class podcasts only with your students and parents. If you have students record podcasts as assignments, you may need multiple accounts because the free accounts have limited file space. An elementary teacher might have enough space for 25 students to keep a limited number of products on his/her own account, depending upon length.

Create regular or special podcasts to share on your class web page or wiki. Create a mini cast of images taken during a lab or a portfolio of images from a photography, art, or any other class. Add music and share as part of a digital portfolio. More ideas: record class assignments or directions, record story time or a reading excerpt for younger ones to listen to at a computer center AND from home, adding a touch of blended learning to your classroom! Have readers (perhaps older buddies) build fluency by recording selected passages for your non-readers. Launch a service project for your fifth or sixth graders to record stories for the kindergarten to use in their reading and listening center. Have students create "you are there" recordings as "eyewitnesses" to historical or current events, Make a weekly class podcast, with students taking turns writing and sharing the "Class News." Have students create radio advertisements for concepts studied in class (Buy Dynamic DNA!), Have students write and record their own stories or poetry in dramatic readings; language students or beginning readers could record their fluency by reading passages. Allow parents to hear their child's progress reading aloud, etc. Compare world language, speech articulation, or reading fluency at two points during the year. Have your Shakespeare students record a soliloquy. Write and record a poem for Father's or Mother's Day (or other special events) and send the URL as a gift to that special person.

If you have gifted students who lean toward the dramatic, this tool is simple enough for them to create dramatic mini casts without needing a video camera. They can collect images at Vecteezy and write a drama to accompany them, showing what they have learned in independent learning beyond the regular curriculum.

Comments

I can see this resource being fun and interactive, while also offering a technology tool that does not rely on video for some of our students that struggle with that. The only thing that gives me pause is the age limit/appropriate level of other "public" pods on the site. Arielle, IN, Grades: 0 - 8

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