13.5 Creating Podcasts in Studio

Studio mode lets you create educational podcasts that explain concepts, support student revision, or provide content for flipped learning. These podcasts can be tailored to specific student levels and learning needs, making them a powerful tool for differentiation.

What are Studio Podcasts

Studio podcasts are AI-generated audio content based on your teaching materials, curriculum outcomes, and student data. They work like having a teaching assistant create custom audio explanations for your class.

Common uses:

• Explaining difficult concepts in conversational language
• Creating revision materials students can listen to at home
• Providing content for absent students to catch up
• Making flipped classroom resources
• Supporting students who learn better by listening
• Creating audio versions of written content for accessibility

How to Create a Podcast

Step-by-step:

• Open Studio mode and set up your session with relevant files, curriculum, or student data.
• Look for the "Create Content" button or menu.
• Select "Podcast" from the content types.
• A creation form opens with options to customise.
• Fill in your requirements:
  • Topic: What the podcast should cover
  • Target audience: Year level and student ability
  • Length: Short (2-5 min), medium (5-10 min), or long (10-15 min)
  • Style: Conversational, educational, explanatory
  • Complexity: Basic, intermediate, advanced
• Click "Generate".
• Studio creates the podcast based on your context and options.
• You can listen immediately in Studio or download as an audio file.

Generation Options

Studio offers several options to steer podcast creation:

Podcast Type (Style settings):

• Expert Q&A: A curious novice asks questions while an expert explains with clear analogies and examples
• Debate: Two hosts explore different perspectives, fairly representing each viewpoint before responding
• Deep Dive: A relaxed conversation exploring ideas, making connections, and following interesting threads
• Quick Summary: A short, punchy overview of your sources - just the key points, fast
• Revision Recap: Fast-paced review for exam prep - questions, pause to think, then answers

Length options:

• Short (2-5 minutes): Quick concept explanations, exit ticket reviews
• Medium (5-10 minutes): Topic overviews, lesson recaps
• Long (10-15 minutes): Deep dives, unit summaries

Listening and Downloading

Listen in Studio:

• Once generated, podcasts play directly in the Studio interface
• Use playback controls to pause, rewind, or skip ahead
• Useful for previewing before sharing with students

Download options:

• Click "Download" to save the MP3 file and transcript
• Share files via your LMS, email, or cloud storage
• Students can listen on any device
• Downloaded podcasts can be used offline
• Transcript provides accessibility and reading support

Outcome-Focused Teaching Examples

Standard uses:

Example 1: Revision podcast for whole class

• Add Year 8 Science energy outcomes to Studio
• Upload your unit notes or lesson slides
• Create podcast: "Medium length, conversational style, explaining energy transformations with everyday examples"
• Download and share via LMS for homework revision
• Students listen before the test

Result: Engaging revision material that reinforces key concepts using familiar examples from class.

Example 2: Concept explainer for flipped learning

• Add Year 9 Maths quadratic equations outcomes
• Create short podcast: "Explain factorizing quadratic equations with step-by-step examples"
• Share before the lesson
• Students listen at home, come to class ready to practice

Result: More class time for practice because students already understand the basics.

Example 3: Catch-up content for absent students

• Add today's lesson plan and outcomes to Studio
• Create medium podcast: "Summarise today's Year 6 persuasive writing lesson, including the example we analysed and the homework task"
• Send directly to absent students

Result: Absent students don't fall behind and understand what they missed.

Creative uses with progression data:

Example 4: Differentiated revision by ability level

• Add Year 7 English class progression data
• Add narrative writing outcomes
• Identify three ability groups from the data
• Create three different podcasts:
  • Basic level: "Explain simple story structure with clear examples for students needing support"
  • Standard level: "Discuss effective narrative techniques for students working at expected level"
  • Advanced level: "Explore sophisticated narrative devices for extension students"
• Send each group their personalised revision podcast

Result: Every student gets revision at exactly the right level, making study time more effective.

Example 5: Personalized support for struggling students

• Add individual student progression data showing gaps in fractions understanding
• Add Year 5 fractions outcomes
• Create targeted podcast: "Explain adding fractions with different denominators, addressing the common misconceptions these three students have"
• Send to those students for targeted revision

Result: Struggling students get extra support that addresses their specific difficulties.

Example 6: Pre-assessment preparation

• Add class data showing common areas of confusion
• Add upcoming assessment outcomes
• Create podcast: "Address the three concepts most students are finding difficult, with clear explanations and examples"
• Share with whole class before assessment

Result: Students feel more confident and perform better because common misconceptions were addressed.

Teacher Tips

• Keep it focused: One concept per short podcast works better than covering everything
• Use familiar language: Reference examples from your actual lessons for consistency
• Preview before sharing: Listen to check accuracy and appropriateness
• Create series: Make multiple short podcasts rather than one long one
• Combine with other materials: Use podcasts alongside worksheets or slides
• Ask for feedback: Check with students whether podcasts are helpful
• Build a library: Save successful podcasts to reuse with future classes

Practical Workflow Examples

Weekly revision routine:

Every Friday, create a short podcast summarising the week's key concepts. Students listen over the weekend to reinforce learning.

Differentiated homework:

Create three podcast versions of the same content at different complexity levels. Students choose which one suits their confidence level.

Student-directed learning:

Students request topics they find confusing. Create podcasts addressing these specific questions.

Troubleshooting

If the podcast is too complex or simple:

• Adjust the complexity setting
• Be more specific about target audience in your request
• Add student progression data so Studio understands the level better

If the podcast doesn't match your teaching style:

• Include your lesson notes or unit outline so Studio uses your language
• Try different style options (conversational vs educational)
• Add specific instructions: "Use the examples from my uploaded lesson plan"

If students find podcasts unhelpful:

• Make them shorter and more focused
• Ensure they link clearly to class work
• Add visual materials alongside (worksheets, slides) for different learning styles

Everyday Example

Creating podcasts in Studio is like having a teaching colleague record audio notes for your students. Instead of spending hours scripting and recording yourself, Studio creates professional audio content based on your materials and the specific needs of your students. Just like you'd explain a concept differently to different students in class, Studio can create podcasts at different levels, ensuring every student gets an explanation they can understand.