Audio & Podcasts

Share / assign

Why it works

Audio, including the podcast format, offers distinct learning affordances: it is flexible (listenable while doing other things, accessible), builds listening comprehension (an often-neglected skill), conveys tone, voice, and story powerfully, and, when students create audio, develops communication, scripting, voice, and content mastery (you must understand something to explain it clearly aloud) along with technical production skills. Teaching with audio can mean using quality podcasts and audio to deliver or extend content (with purposeful listening, not passive background), and having students create podcasts or audio to demonstrate and deepen learning (planning, scripting, recording, editing). Used purposefully, audio engages students in a medium they love, develops listening and oral communication, and offers an accessible, flexible, and creative alternative to text and video.

The research: Research on audio-based and podcast learning.

The run-of-show

Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.

The core activity: learn with and create audio

Teachers leave with purposeful audio listening and creation planned.

Use a quality podcast or audio for purposeful listening (with a clear purpose, not passive background).
Build listening comprehension and discussion around it.
Have students create audio or a podcast to demonstrate and deepen learning (plan, script, record).
Emphasize communication, content mastery, and purposeful use.

Listen and create with audioAudio builds listening comprehension and, when students create it, communication and content mastery. Use quality podcasts purposefully and have students make their own, not as passive background.

Facilitator notes

Use quality audio for purposeful listening, and build listening comprehension.
Have students create audio to deepen learning.
Emphasize communication and content.

Passive background audio builds littleAudio as unfocused background does little. Use it for purposeful listening, and have students create audio to deepen learning, communication, and content mastery.

Adapt it

Elementary: purposeful listening, simple audio creation.
Secondary: podcasts, scripting, production, listening.
All settings: purposeful listening and audio creation.

Participant handout

One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

K12 Academics · Professional Learning

Audio & Podcasts: listen and create

A medium they love: purposeful listening that builds comprehension, and student-created audio that deepens learning.

The quality podcast or audio I use and the listening purpose:
How I build listening comprehension and discussion:
The audio or podcast students create to deepen learning:
How I emphasize communication and content mastery:
A lesson to add audio to:

Make it stick

Listen and create:

Learn with and create audio.
Keep it purposeful.
Bring an audio or podcast lesson to the next PLC.

Common questions

What can audio do that text or video cannot?

It is flexible and accessible, builds listening comprehension (often neglected), and conveys tone, voice, and story powerfully. Creating audio develops communication, scripting, and content mastery. It offers distinct affordances.

How do I teach with audio?

Use quality podcasts and audio for purposeful listening (not passive background), and have students create podcasts or audio to demonstrate and deepen learning, planning, scripting, recording, and editing.

What do students learn by making podcasts?

Communication and oral expression, scripting and planning, content mastery (explaining clearly aloud requires understanding), and technical production, in a medium they enjoy.