DIY Podcast Tutorials
The tutorials below demonstrate how students can create video and audio tracks using NASA's free resources. Watch and learn as we show you step by step how to create an audio and video podcast file.
General Questions & Answers
- What is a podcast?
- How do these topics fit in with my curriculum?
- What equipment do I need to make a video or audio project with the DIY Podcast site?
- How do I find the software and applications I need?
- How do I post my podcast online?
- What else can I do with the resources on this site?
- Do I have to pay to use NASA audio, videos or images?
- What do I do if I have more questions?
What is a podcast?
A podcast is a series of audio or video files served to you in a subscription format. Like a TV series, a podcast may have several episodes. Like a magazine subscription, the episodes are automatically delivered. Many podcasts are free.
You can download a podcast from a website. There are free applications on the Internet to download and play podcasts. These applications are sometimes called "podcatchers" because they automatically "catch" the new episode once you've subscribed to a podcast.
How do these topics fit in with my curriculum?
NASA is committed to advancing high-quality science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education. Creating multimedia products with DIY Podcast resources supports national education standards in science, technology and engineering. The DIY Podcast topics page features a legend showing which STEM disciplines each module supports.
What equipment do I need to make a video or audio project with the DIY Podcast site?
- Computer or tablet
- Microphone
- Video or audio recorder
- Video or audio editing software or app
- Internet access
How do I find the software and applications I need?
Your computer probably has software for editing video or audio. If not, search the Web for inexpensive or free editing software for your Mac or PC. The same is true for tablet computers: Free or inexpensive apps allow you to record audio and video and then edit them on your handheld device. Tip: Read several reviews to find a dependable editing program that's easy to use.
How do I post my podcast online?
You can create an RSS feed so the episodes are delivered automatically to people who subscribe to your podcast. RSS stands for really simple syndication. Search the Web to find step-by-step instructions to create an RSS feed from scratch or use an RSS feed creation tool.
What else can I do with the resources on this site?
Besides creating a series of episodes for your podcast, you can use the video, audio and image resources from the DIY Podcast site to create any multimedia project. Consider making one-time audio or video products, eBooks, slideshows, storybooks or animations.
Do I have to pay to use NASA audio, videos or images?
No. NASA audio, video and images are copyright- and royalty-free. For more information, please read Using NASA Imagery and Linking to NASA Websites.
What do I do if I have more questions?
Subscribe to the DIY Podcast Blog for updated tips and suggestions. Contact us at educationpodcast@nasa.gov.
Subscribe to the Do-It-Yourself Podcast Blog
The DIY Podcast Blog is updated regularly with tips and suggestions to help you use NASA’s resources. Within the blog posts, you will find ideas to create and improve your audio and video projects. We also have posts about each individual module, script ideas, educational standards and similar topics. Click on the RSS feed icon next to the "Subscribe" link to be alerted to new blog posts.
The following posts are good starting places.
› Rubrics for DIY Podcast Assignments
› Deciding Between Audio and Video Podcasts
› Adding Still Images to Video Projects