PODCASTING RESOURCES


A Bit About Podcasting

Podcasting can be a fun activity for students to explore new ways of interaction and communication around the topics you are covering in class.  In most cases, all you need to produce a podcast is a smart phone, a computer or a tablet.  There are many free editing softwares available to you via downloads or free subscriptions.  
Podcasts can be produced a few different ways.  Typically you will record the audio on a separate device like a digital recorder, a smartphone/tablet or even on a computer.  Then you take the recorded audio files and edit them with an audio editing software.  Below you will find a list of editing software ranging from free to paid subscriptions or downloads. Some software will allow you to record audio directly into it so you do not need to use a separate recording device.  

  • You will notice most of the software listed is actually for video production.  These video editing programs all deal with audio very well and can export an "audio only" file as in an MP3 or a .wav.  Learning how to edit audio in a video editor allows you and a student to learn how to edit both audio and video so this is a great technique.  Not to say using Garage Band or a different audio only software is not the way to go, but time is limited in the classroom to learn how to use these softwares so why not learn audio and video editing at the same time?
 
  • My overall recommendation is to use WeVideo for both audio and video editing.  It is free and it is user friendly! You can use this for the Ag Com CDE as well!  Read the short write ups below for more information on a handful of options.   
 
  • I also highly recommend Zencastr for you and your students.  Depending on what you are wanting to do with podcasting, it is a great way to conduct audio recorded interviews with people from a distance.  You can also just record straight into the computer to create you audio file to then load into your editor to cut all the "ums" and "uhs" out.  
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  • I have also included a new software (at least new to me) called Synth Podcasts in Bytes.  This software lets you record audio directly into it and specialized in short format podcasts.  Think of this as the Twitter of podcasting.  It seems like a good fit for the classroom if you want students to work on small projects that they can share easily.  

Recommendations for FREE Audio Editing Software: 

  • ​WeVideo​ (Free subscription when you provide an active email account.  Very good software that works with both Apple and PC products.  One of the best things about WeVideo is that it can be used with ChromeBooks!  It is a cloud based editor that does not need local storage in a hardrive to edit.  You keep your clips in a cloud drive like google drive and then upload to WeVideo platform.  It is very user friendly and easy to use.  Internet connection may affect the performance of the software.)  
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  • Filmora (Free subscription when you provide an active email account.  It is a good editor and easy to learn.  Comparable to WeVideo, but WeVideo ability to work with ChromeBook give it the upper hand.)
 
  • DaVinci Resolve (Free download and works with both Mac and PCs.  Really powerful software that can do anything Adobe Premiere does and doesn't cost you any money!  The learning curve is steep with this software, but for audio production it is pretty basic.) See Tutorial in the Video Editing Tab

Recommendations for PAID Audio
​Editing Software: 

  • iMovie (Comes with apple produced, phone, computers and tablets. Very user friendly and easy to use.) See the Tutorial on the Video Editing Tab
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  • Garage Band (Comes with apple produced, phone, computers and tablets. Very user friendly and easy to use.) 
 
  • Final Cut Pro X (Apple Computers only $199 one time payment for educational download) See the Tutorial on the Video Editing Tab
 
  • Adobe Premiere Pro ($19.99 per month subscription for educational subscriptions.  More complicated than it needs to be and I would not recommend this other than many schools already hold subscriptions to this software.  Alternatives free software is my recommendation over this software) See the Tutorial on the Video Editing Tab
New Adobe Podcast Enhancer App
  • Free App that works on Apple and PC 
  • Must have a basic Adobe account (Free)
  • Cleans up audio quickly to produce a very high quality audio file!
MAC and PC - Free Recording Software 
  • Does not work with tablets or smartphones. 
  • Free audio capture online software. 
  • Zencastr is a superb platform for recording podcasts, but you'll have to look elsewhere when it comes to editing, hosting, and publishing your content.
MAC, PC, iPhone and Android
WeVideo is an online video editor that works great for Chromebooks or any computer with access to the internet. 
  • Easy to use
  • Free or inexpensive subscriptions
  • Great for editing Podcasts or Videos
  • ​Great tutorials on the website to get you started
MAC, PC, iPhone and Android
Filmora9 or FilmoraPro is professional video editing made easy. This video tutorial will show you how to use FilmoraPro. Create amazing videos with this powerful yet simple video editor.
  • Easy to use
  • Free or inexpensive subscriptions
  • Great for editing videos, Podcast editing is possible, but WeVideo is probably better. 
GarageBand - Apple Software - Mac, iPad and iPhone 
  • Comes "free" with your apple product
  • Very User Friendly
  • Easy to Use
  • Limited functions, but good for beginners!
  • Can be used to edit Podcasts
MAC, PC, iPhone and Android
Synth offers an easy entry point into podcasting with maximum 256 second sound bytes with transcriptions and links that can be shared as an audiogram. Share more ideas and spark conversation with teachers and students by having a podcast for professional development or assigned collaborative projects.

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