{"id":379,"date":"2023-11-01T09:21:10","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T09:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/?p=379"},"modified":"2023-11-01T09:21:10","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T09:21:10","slug":"podcasting-for-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2023\/11\/01\/podcasting-for-progress\/","title":{"rendered":"Podcasting For Progress"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">In a <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2023\/10\/13\/education-matters-a-pertinent-podcast-for-progress\/\">previous post<\/a>, we were introduced to Dr. Sayjda Talib and Eleanor Dove\u2019s \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/educationmatters\/\">Education Matters<\/a>\u2019 podcast. Given the increasing interest in podcasting at Lancaster University, I thought now would be a good time to share some information on how and why to get started and what support is available at Lancaster for this endeavour. I will also be sharing some tips for getting started based on a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/empoweredwebinars.com\/\">EmpowerEd<\/a> webinar session (Webinar 10) where Mark Childs from Durham University was giving a session on \u2018Podcasting: Performing Professional Practice Publicly\u2019. Mark Childs has been involved in podcasts such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pedagodzilla.com\/about\/\">Pedagodzilla<\/a>, a popular series discussing various aspects of pedagogic theory. More tips and support can also be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.lancaster.ac.uk\/ask\/podcasting\/\">ASK \u2018Podcasting\u2019 page<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Why podcasting?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">Podcasting is a creative way to deliver content in a series of episodes. It can be used in all sorts of ways:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">to share content with students and introduce them to research<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">to share good practice in your field with colleagues<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">to share research and good practice with others outside of the University<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">to engage with visiting speakers\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">to assess students on their skills and knowledge.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">In short, podcasting is versatile!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">Podcasts are conversational in style and tone, fairly short (more on timing later!) and straightforward to produce. To be successful they should be relaxed and have some element of fun. A decent recording can be made with some headphones, a microphone and some editing software. Although many podcast hosting websites are now being monetised there are some free ones still out there such as <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasters.spotify.com\/features\/create\">Spotify for Podcasters<\/a>, formerly known as Anchor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">Podcasting can be used as a creative form of assessment, either formative or summative. Students could form small groups and show off their knowledge of a particular topic. There are several points that could be assessed such as the agreed format for the podcast, the range of knowledge shown, use of key terminology, teamwork, communication\u2026quite a list! However, it is important to decide whether assessing the quality of the podcast production is necessary. While this may be appropriate for some courses, it is important to think about <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Constructive_alignment\">constructive alignment<\/a> \u2013 is the quality of the podcast relevant to the learning outcomes on your course? \u2013 if not, if you can hear what is said, that is enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\"><strong>How do I start?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">\u00a0 1. Come up with your subject matter <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">A podcast series is usually set around a particular topic e.g. true crime, comedy, pedagogy, the latest developments in technology<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">2. Design a format for the podcast<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">While podcasts are discussion based and should flow freely, to avoid complete waffle they are usually still based around a framework. Prompt questions will help to keep the discussion on track. Your format might also include some additions to improve entertainment value such as a quiz, a fact of the week or a highlight of feedback\/comments from listeners. These little sections split up the main segments of content to keep the discussion moving.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">3. Come up with a unique name<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">Take some time to think up a name that stands out from the rest and gives new listeners a sense of what to expect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">4. Use some eye-catching artwork<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">The artwork draws in listeners too \u2013 you can create your own or use an image from online (free images can be downloaded from <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\">Unsplash,<\/a> artwork can be created in <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasters.spotify.com\/features\/create\">Spotify for Podcasters<\/a> or you could use a tool like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/en_gb\/\">Canva<\/a> to design your own).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">5. Assign each person a role<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">This will also help to facilitate the discussion; roles could include: a host, an improviser, a specialist and an editor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">6. Do a test run<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif\">The first podcast should be a pilot, one that you don\u2019t share but use to practice using the technology, review the format and get comfortable with the experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\"><strong>What do I do once recording has finished<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">Post-production editing is a key part of podcasting. You may edit out any errors or aspects that you think are not suitable. For example, you may have had to repeat yourself as the first time you said something you weren\u2019t happy with the phrasing. You can add sound effects to break up the sections and smooth transition and it is also possible to improve sound quality (to an extent!). The University has free access for staff to Audacity and Adobe Audition which are available from <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.lancaster.ac.uk\/\">AppsAnywhere.<\/a> There is some free editing software outside the University such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.descript.com\/\">descript.com.<\/a> You should also make sure to upload an accurate transcript of your podcast to share with people who cannot access the audio because of an impairment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">Try to promote your podcast through any and all channels available to you. This might be on social media, on a website, via posters or in person at events. You may want to set up your own website or social media account to be able to share resources and engage with listeners. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\"><strong>What resources are available at Lancaster University to start podcasting?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">At Lancaster University there are several suites with recording equipment for podcasting. For example, the Digital Education Suite in Bowland North Seminar Room 19. Our Digital Media Engineers have created a <a href=\"https:\/\/estream.lancaster.ac.uk\/View.aspx?id=69058~5p~Jfufb8KxgX&amp;saml=1\">video<\/a> on how to use it as it is a \u2018self-service\u2019 room. This room can be booked by Lancaster staff using the following email address: <a href=\"mailto:des@lancaster.ac.uk\">des@lancaster.ac.uk<\/a>. There are also other rooms available in the Health and Innovation Campus and in LICA. More podcasting studios are in development.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">At Lancaster, we have Digital Media Engineers who can <\/span><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">help with video and audio recording and editing. They help staff create content such as recorded lectures, course introductions, research material, promotional videos and podcasts, for example the \u2018Education Matters\u2019 podcast. To get in touch with them you can use the following email address: <\/span><a style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\" href=\"mailto:iss.digital.media@lancaster.ac.uk\">iss.digital.media@lancaster.ac.uk<\/a><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">. This same email address can be used to express interest in using room B107 in LUMS as the Digital Media Engineers will support you in using the range of audio and video equipment in this room. Please note that this room is not \u2018self-service\u2019 like the Digital Education Suite mentioned above.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">If you are thinking about starting a podcast, feel free to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.e-res.lancaster.ac.uk\/StaffDirectory\/staffprofile.aspx?id=00968016\">get in touch with myself<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/contact-us\/\">another Digital Learning Facilitator<\/a> to discuss ideas and for more recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Other useful information<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">You can find more help and advice on how to plan, create and edit a podcast via <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.lancaster.ac.uk\/ask\/podcasting\/\">this ASK page<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">Short podcasts are popular, around 15 minutes in length but often they are 30-40 minutes in length. Dan Misener did some <a href=\"https:\/\/pacific-content.com\/how-long-is-the-average-podcast-episode-81cd5f8dff47\/\">research in 2018 and 2019<\/a> on the average length. You may also want to consider the average commute length, a time when people may listen to podcasts, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/statistics\/transport-statistics-great-britain-2022\/transport-statistics-great-britain-2022-domestic-travel#:~:text=The%20average%20usual%20commuting%20time,15%20minutes%20for%20walking\">in 2021 was 27 minutes<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">You may also want to check out \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.co.uk\/books\/about\/Podcasting_for_Learning_in_Universities.html?id=bd9EBgAAQBAJ\">Podcasting for Learning in Universities\u2019<\/a>, a book by Gilly Salmon and Palitha Edirisingha. This book includes some use case examples as well as information on how to be successful in including podcasts in a higher education context.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size: 12pt\">Don\u2019t worry about low numbers of listeners to start with. You will begin to gain listeners as you promote the podcast and record more sessions. Remember that a listener who discovers the podcast at episode 5 will often go back and listen to the previous episodes too.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a previous post, we were introduced to Dr. Sayjda Talib and Eleanor Dove\u2019s \u2018Education Matters\u2019 podcast. Given the increasing interest in podcasting at Lancaster University, I thought now would be a good time to share some information on how and why to get started and what support is available at Lancaster for this endeavour. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2023\/11\/01\/podcasting-for-progress\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Podcasting For Progress<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1661,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[15],"tags":[27,26,9],"class_list":["post-379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pedagogy","tag-assessment","tag-podcast","tag-sharing-practice"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":355,"url":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2023\/10\/13\/education-matters-a-pertinent-podcast-for-progress\/","url_meta":{"origin":379,"position":0},"title":"Education Matters: A Pertinent Podcast for Progress","author":"Elizabeth Walkden","date":"October 13, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Written by Safiya Kheratkar \u2013 Widening Participation Project Assistant \u2018Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.\u2019 \u2013 John Dewey As Dewey\u2019s quote perfectly encapsulates, education manifests in everything that is within and around us. It influences our dispositions, interpersonal abilities and understandings of the past, present, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Pedagogy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Pedagogy","link":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/category\/pedagogy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Photo of Dr Sayjda Talib and Eleanor Dove","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/files\/2023\/10\/Radio-Show-Photo-002-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":485,"url":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2024\/01\/10\/digital-training-courses-available\/","url_meta":{"origin":379,"position":1},"title":"Digital Training Courses Available!","author":"Elizabeth Walkden","date":"January 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The Digital Learning Team have a whole host of training courses available this term. These are mainly aimed at academic and professional services staff to help you make the most of our suite of digital learning tools and services.\u00a0 Below you can find the dates and sign up links to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/category\/event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":618,"url":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2024\/10\/31\/training-offering-winter-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":379,"position":2},"title":"Training Offering &#8211; Winter 2024","author":"Elizabeth Walkden","date":"October 31, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"We are currently offering the following lunch-time training sessions to staff in the Faculty of Health and Medicine (FHM) but staff from across the University are very welcome to join: Monday 25th November (12-12:30): Moodle H5P Activities: A Showcase H5P activities are interactive and often gamified content on Moodle such\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/category\/event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":648,"url":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2025\/02\/19\/lent-term-2025-training-offering\/","url_meta":{"origin":379,"position":3},"title":"Lent Term 2025: Training Offering","author":"Elizabeth Walkden","date":"February 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"We will be offering the following lunch-time training sessions to staff in the Faculty of Health and Medicine (FHM) but staff from across the University are very welcome to join: Wednesday 5th March (12-12:30): Making Resources Digitally Accessible in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint In this session, we will look at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/category\/event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":795,"url":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2026\/03\/17\/digital-learning-training-sessions-in-fhm\/","url_meta":{"origin":379,"position":4},"title":"Digital Learning Training Sessions in FHM","author":"Elizabeth Walkden","date":"March 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Faculty of Health and Medicine (FHM) Learning Technologists will be offering the following lunch-time training sessions to staff in the Faculty of Health and Medicine (FHM) but staff from across the University are very welcome to join: Wednesday 15th April, 13:00-13:30 - 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