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Podcasting for Instruction

?️What Makes Podcasting a Valuable Teaching Tool?

Podcasting offers faculty a dynamic and flexible way to enhance instruction, foster engagement, and extend learning beyond the classroom. By creating audio content tailored to their courses, instructors can provide students with accessible, on-demand learning experiences that support diverse learning styles and busy schedules. Podcasts can be used to deliver mini-lectures, share expert interviews, reflect on course topics, or provide supplemental material that deepens understanding. This format encourages a more personal connection with students and can help build a sense of community, especially in online or hybrid environments.

? What Is a Podcast?

A podcast is a series of digital audio episodes that can be streamed or downloaded from the internet. Podcasts are typically hosted on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or institutional systems, and can be subscribed to using apps or RSS feeds for automatic updates. In an educational context, podcasts allow instructors to share course-related content in a format that students can access anytime, anywhere.

? What Is a Podcast Channel?

A podcast channel serves as the central hub for all episodes related to a specific course or theme. Think of it like a playlist or series where each episode builds on the last, and students can subscribe to the channel to receive new content automatically. Your channel might be named after your course title or a recurring topic you explore throughout the semester.

?️ Getting Started: Recording and Publishing

When recording, consider breaking your lecture or content into smaller, manageable segments—typically 5 to 15 minutes long. This makes it easier for students to absorb information and revisit specific topics.

To publish your podcast:

  1. Record your audio using a digital recorder, smartphone, or computer.
  2. Upload the file to A-State’s podcast manager.
  3. Share the channel link with your students via Canvas or email.

Once subscribed, students will automatically receive new episodes as they’re added—no need to manually download each one.

? Practical Uses for Faculty

Faculty can use podcasting in a variety of ways:

  • Weekly summaries to reinforce key concepts
  • Guest interviews with experts in the field
  • Audio feedback on student work
  • Supplemental content for flipped or hybrid classrooms

? Choosing the Right Tool for Podcasting

Faculty have a variety of tools available to record, edit, and publish podcasts. The best choice depends on your comfort level with technology and the complexity of your content.

?️ Recording Tools

  • Smartphones or Tablets: Great for quick recordings using built-in apps like Voice Memos (iOS) or Easy Voice Recorder (Android)
  • USB Microphones: Improve audio quality when recording on a computer
  • Digital Recorders: Useful for live lectures or field recordings

Whichever tool you choose, it’s best to keep episodes short, around 15 minutes, to match typical attention spans. Breaking content into segments helps students absorb information more effectively.

?️ Editing Software

  • Audacity (Free): A popular open-source tool for basic editing, trimming, and noise reduction
  • GarageBand (Mac only): User-friendly and ideal for beginners
  • Adobe Audition (Professional, included in Creative Cloud): A robust audio editing suite with advanced features for mixing, mastering, and cleaning up recordings. Recommended for faculty producing polished or multi-track episodes

? Sharing Your Podcast

Once your recording is complete, you can share it with students using one of A-State’s supported platforms.

? Using the A-State Podcast Manager

The A-State Podcast Manager allows faculty to upload audio files and organize them into channels students can subscribe to.

To publish your podcast:

  1. Record your audio using a digital recorder, smartphone, or computer
  2. Upload the file to A-State’s Podcast Manager
  3. Share the channel link with your students via Canvas or email

Once subscribed, students will automatically receive new episodes as they’re added—no need to manually download each one.

? Using Kaltura

Kaltura supports both audio and video content and integrates directly with Canvas.

  • Upload your podcast file to Kaltura through My Media
  • Use the Embed Kaltura Media tool in Canvas to place episodes inside modules, pages, or announcements
  • Kaltura also supports captions and transcripts for accessibility

? Sharing via Canvas

Canvas makes it easy to distribute podcast episodes to students:

  • Embed Kaltura-hosted episodes directly into course content
  • Post links to your Podcast Manager channel in announcements or modules
  • Use the Rich Content Editor to add audio files or external links to your podcast episodes

Accessibility Note: All podcast content must include a transcript or summary to meet ADA compliance.

  • Kaltura can automatically generate captions, making it a preferred option for accessibility
  • Podcast Manager and Canvas uploads require instructors to manually create and provide transcripts

? Support and Resources

Need help getting started? The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) can assist with podcast setup, recording tools, and best practices.

? Location: Dean B. Ellis Library Suite 301
? Email: cetl@astate.edu
? Phone: 870-972-2334

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