Episode 12: Podcasting in Education, Empowering Student Voice

In this episode of The Connected Educator, we explore how podcasting can transform your classroom into a hub of creativity, collaboration, and communication. Whether you’re looking for new ways to amplify student voice or seeking an engaging, real-world project for your learners, podcasting is a tool that delivers. We’ll share the specific tools and low-budget workflow we use to create our podcast—designed to replicate the conditions many teachers face: no sound studio, noisy classrooms, and limited time. You’ll also hear inspiring clips from real student podcasts, including Valencia View, an elementary project, and a thought-provoking podcast by a high school student. Discover how podcasting can enhance critical thinking, storytelling, and technical skills while solving common classroom challenges like engaging reluctant learners and building a sense of ownership in student work. Ready to get started? Tune in to learn practical tips and gather the inspiration to bring podcasting into your classroom. Let’s empower your students to find their voice! Show notes: Podcasts to play in class:  Adobe Podcast Studio, How to start a podcast in Adobe Express For lower Elementary: Story Pirates: Topic: Creative writing and storytelling. Features hilarious and heartwarming stories written by kids and performed by professional actors. For upper Elementary: Bust or Trust: full of fun facts and silly jokes, this podcast encourages young listeners to think critically about “evidence” and how to debate and disagree in a playful and productive way. For Middle School: The Past and the Curious: Topic: History. Quirky and little-known historical tales brought to life with humor and music. For High School: TED-Ed Podcast: Topics: Wide-ranging educational topics. Features deep dives into fascinating ideas, perfect for sparking classroom discussions. For All Ages: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: Topics: Biographies and inspiration. Stories of extraordinary women from history and today. PVUSD Podcast Examples: Valencia View: Current events for Valencia Elementary. Mis Vacaciones: A PVUSD High School student tells about his summer vacation in Spanish. More links: Incredibox.com myinstants.com  GZM podcasts GZM Classroom Further Reading: North, A. (2024, December 19). ‘A sneaky way to boost kids’ literacy’ Vox. [https://www.vox.com/life/391437/kids-podcast-top-2024-reading-literacy]