The Link - Hillsmeade Primary School

Digital Learning

Hardev Singh: Learning Specialist ICT

Podcasts

Wikipedia defines a podcast as "an episodic series of spoken-word digital audio files that a user can download to a personal device for easy listening.  Streaming applications and podcasting services provide a convenient and integrated way to manage a personal consumption queue across many podcast sources and playback devices." I couldn't have said it better myself!

There are podcasts to suit everyone's tastes ranging from fiction, discussions, history, science, sport and politics.  I want to focus on several acclaimed podcasts serving students of all ages.  The beauty of podcasts is that they can be heard while:

  • Dropping of picking up your kids from school (if we ever return) 
  • On weekends instead of the television
  • During road trips

Here are a few that I would recommend. 

  1. ABC KIDS News Time - From Mars missions to dinosaur discoveries, join Ruby Cornish for this week's top five news stories for kids.
  2. StarTalk Radio - Science, pop culture and comedy collide on StarTalk Radio!  Astrophysicist and Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities and scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe.  Keep Looking Up!
  3. Stories Podcast:  A Bedtime Show for Kids for All Ages - On the Stories Podcast, we perform a new story for your children every week.  The stories range from retellings of fairy tales like Snow White to classic stories like Peter Rabbit and even completely original works.  Everything is G rated and safe for all ages.  The perfect kids podcast for imaginative families.  Whether you're driving with your children or just want to limit your kids' screen time, Stories Podcast delivers entertainment that kids and parents alike will love.
  4. But Why:  A Podcast for Curious Kids - But Why is a show led by you, kids!  You ask the questions, and we find the answers.  It's a big interesting world out there.  On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, and even the end of the world.  Have a question?  Please send it to us!  Adults, use your smartphone's memo function or an audio app to record your kid's question (get up nice and close so we can hear).  Be sure to include: your child's first name, age and town.  And then email the audio file to questions@butwhykids.org.
  5. Story Pirates - The Story Pirates aren't your typical swashbuckling sailors.  We don't steal gold, pillage villages, or claim land; We're searching for a different kind of treasure: kids' wildest, most imaginative stories.  Each week, the crew aboard the Story Pirates' ship—including world-class actors, comedians, improvisers and musicians—takes original stories from real kids around the country, and turns them into a wildly funny comedy podcast for kids, ages 3 - 103.

How can I listen to podcasts?

You need to download and use a podcast app to listen and subscribe to podcasts.  There are hundreds around, but here is the list of the most popular ones:

  • Pocket Casts (Android, IOS)
  • Overcast (IOS)
  • Google Podcasts (Android, IOS)
  • Apple Podcasts (IOS)
  • Spotify (Android, IOS)
  • Castro (IOS)
  • TuneIn Radio (Android, IOS)

To find these enter their names into the app store for Apple or Google.  Then, happy listening. 

 

Did you know?

Did you know that you can create your very own podcasts?  All you need is a microphone, a computer and a topic to share with listeners.  If you're interested in finding out more, please click here.