This bootcamp program is for students young and old to learn skills needed to create podcasts through a series of directed lessons and exercises. The program is for teens and adults, and each session will run for 60-90 minutes per week for five weeks. Quinnipiac University professor, David DesRoches, will guide participants in the  learning process.

Each day arranged as follows:

1. Session One: Parts of a podcast and how to make one

1. Students learn the parts of a podcast and the basics of audio recording, production and editing using free Audacity software

2.  At home exercise: Record a brief introduction of themselves: who they are, what they’re interested in, what they like about podcasts. Also tell us one thing that not many people know about them.

2. Session Two: Using music and sound effects

1. Brief review of first podcasts

2. Students learn how to find royalty-free music and sound effects and how to use them in a podcast

3. At home exercise: Students record a short podcast using only sounds.

3. Session Three: Writing for the ear

1. Brief review of second podcast

2. Students learn about writing for the ear

3. At home exercise: Students pick a photo or object at home and describe the thing in detail after writing the description.

4. Session Four: Personality and Voicing

1. Brief review of third podcast

2. Students learn how to develop their voice through vocal exercises and how to avoid sounding fake or forced while recording.

3. At home exercise: Students retell a classic fairy tale using music, their voice, and sound effects

5. Session Five: Getting your podcast out there

1. Brief review of fourth podcast

2. Students learn the basics of audio mastering, podcast hosting, and distribution

3. Students discuss ideas for their own podcast and share thoughts with each other on how to do it best.

Each of the “at-home exercises” will be started in class, worked on during the week, and brought to the following class.

Course requirements:

1. Access to computer (preferably a laptop)

2. Audacity, a free audio editing software, on their computer

3. Interest in podcasting and a desire to have fun!

Free! Registration Required.