Introduce your students to podcasts and podcasting with this comprehensive and scaffolded project-based learning unit. Flexibly designed for individual or small group projects, this resource and unit map offers an exciting artistic process that encourages research, story mapping, and creative music technology skills. With the increasing popularity of podcasts, this unit empowers students to create their own audio podcasts on a variety of subjects.

Throughout the project, students analyze and dissect a podcasts by examining their content, format, and different creative components. Students then delve into research, summarizing information from diverse resources and multiple formats. With the aid of digital media tools - like BandLab, Soundtrap, and TwistedWave, students bring their research and knowledge to life by creating their own podcast.

Included in this resource is a project curriculum map, multiple podcast analysis assignments (teacher-selected and student-selected), brainstorming and topic research proposals, instructions on recording audio clips using the TwistedWave audio recorder, and instructions on turning audio clips into a full-fledged podcast. Students will also benefit from a short reflection assignment to enhance their learning experience and conclude the project.

National Standards for Music Education

Responding

• Analyze - Analyze how the structure and context of varied musical works inform the response.
• Interpret - Support interpretations of musical works that reflect creators’/performers’ expressive intent.
• Evaluate - Support evaluations of musical works and performances based on analysis, interpretation, and established criteria.

Connecting

• Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make music.
• Relate musical ideas and works to varied contexts and daily life to deepen understanding.

New York State Arts Standards - 

Responding

• MU:Re7.1.7 - a. Select and compare how contrasting musical works connect to and are influenced by specific interests, experiences, purposes, or contexts.
• MU:Re8.1.7 - a. Describe a personal interpretation of contrasting works and explain how creators and performers’ application of the elements of music and expressive qualities, within genres, cultures, and historical periods, conveys expressive intent.

Connecting

• MU:Cn10.1.8 - b. With teacher guidance, identify the musical qualities that give persuasive music (such as soundtracks, commercials, protest songs) its effect on the perspectives and beliefs of the listener.
• MU:Cn11.1.7 - b. Identify the cultural, social, and political uses for music.

SIMILAR RESOURCES

PODCAST PROJECT - Create a podcast based on the Song Exploder Podcast

BANDLAB Lessons & Unit Map - Music Production & Technology in the Classroom

Introduction to Music Production with Groove Pizza and Ableton Learn

BandLab | Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), 10-Week Project Outline & Assignments

LET'S CONNECT!

Follow General Music Resources on TPT to get updates and new products!

Also follow my friend, Resources for the Modern Music Classroom, for similar products!