• University of Wollongong

The Power of Podcasting for Storytelling

Discover all things podcasting: learn how to plan, write and publish your own podcast.

35,034 enrolled on this course

Microphone paper and pen
  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours

Explore the power of the podcast

Podcasting has become an increasingly popular way to tell stories, the number of podcasts grows each year. There are now over half a million podcasts according to Apple.

On this course you will explore exactly what a podcast is and why it’s so powerful for storytelling. You’ll develop your own plan for a podcast, produce a script, and finally investigate different platforms for publishing your brand new podcast.

Download video: standard or HD

What topics will you cover?

  • Introduction to telling stories using audio
  • The elements of a podcasting narrative and how to combine these elements authentically
  • The software and hardware involved in producing a podcast
  • Writing a narrative to suit audio
  • The common pitfalls
  • Different genres of podcast
  • Introduction to finding good talent
  • The process of being discovered and heard by an audience

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify ideal conditions and environments for recording audio
  • Discuss podcast narrative and genre
  • Experiment with layering audio, music, silence and sound effects to create an experience
  • Describe experiences podcasting or listening to podcasts
  • Investigate how and where audio works best
  • Record and share a podcast with fellow learners
  • Produce a podcast and publish the podcast on a discoverable platform

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone who is interested in creating a podcast, or learning more about podcasts. It might also be useful for people working in media and communications.

What software or tools do you need?

To take part in the course you’ll need recording and editing software. Audacity is a free option for recording and editing.

Who will you learn with?

My podcasts include the award-winning Phoebe's Fall, Wrong Skin (with Fairfax Media), Heart of Artness. I founded RadioDoc Review to critique podcasts. As A/Prof I research and teach podcasting at uni

Grace Stranger is a recent graduate of Journalism at the University of Wollongong, Australia. She is currently working as a freelance podcasting producer and as a social media content manager.

Technology Enhanced Learning Education
(TEL Ed.) Specialist at The University of Wollongong.
PhD candidate in the Dept. of Linguistics, Macquarie University.

Who developed the course?

University of Wollongong

The University of Wollongong is among the world’s top 20 modern universities. It routinely rates among the top Australian universities for graduate satisfaction and starting salaries.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

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