About the course
Our unique methodology
In this course, you’ll learn how to bring podcasting into your classroom as a powerful tool for inquiry, storytelling, and authentic communication. Whether you’re looking to amplify student voice, build content knowledge, or design engaging performance tasks, podcasting offers a flexible, high-impact way to get there.
You’ll explore how podcasts function as both mentor texts and student products, analyzing how audio storytelling uses structure, tone, and evidence to communicate ideas. From there, you’ll move into designing your own podcast-based learning experiences—scaffolded, standards-aligned, and adaptable to your classroom context.
Details
Includes
Shareable certificate
Accreditation compliant
Course accessibility
What you’ll learn
Master Core Concepts
- Define podcasts with a focus on classroom application.
- Explain the benefits of integrating podcasts into your teaching practice as educational texts and student projects.
Develop Your Skills
- Evaluate a range of podcasts types and WAGOLLs.
- Acquire hands-on experience through practical exercises designed for your classroom context.
Apply Your Skills in Context
- Design impactful classroom activities around podcasts.
- Learn how to implement and assess podcast projects in line with curriculum goals and learning objectives.
Share Your Learning
- Complete assessments that demonstrate your new capabilities and document your progress.
- Leverage a diverse range of supplementary resources.
Skills you’ll gain
Reflection moments
Our moments echo our methodology—these are a ‘pause’, and take the focus temporarily away from the core content of the course to think deeply on the details—but are nevertheless connected to the subject matter.
Think²
Pause and examine your assumptions. These moments encourage you to question what you think you know and consider alternative perspectives on the topic.
Think² Shared
Consider your students’ perspectives and experiences. These moments focus on understanding how learners process and engage with civil discourse concepts.
Literacy
Connect course content to broader reading and research. Literacy moments bridge theory and practice through curated texts and scholarly resources.
Ready to give podcasting a try?
Join educators discovering how podcasting can transform research, writing, discussion, and storytelling in any classroom.
Modules
C3 Framework Alignment
Dimension 1. Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries
D1.1. Explain why compelling questions are important.
D1.2. Identify disciplinary ideas associated with compelling questions.
D1.4. Make connections between compelling and supporting questions.
Dimension 2. Applying Disciplinary Concepts and Tools
History
D2.His.13. Use information about a historical source—including creator, date, place of origin, audience, and purpose—to evaluate its usefulness.
Civics
D2.Civ.10. Compare perspectives and consider multiple points of view.
Dimension 3. Evaluating Sources and Using Evidence
D3.2. Evaluate sources.
D3.4. Use evidence to support claims.
Dimension 4. Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action
D4.3. Present ideas using oral and digital technologies.
D4.4. Ask and answer questions about arguments.
D4.5. Ask and answer questions about explanations.
D4.7. Evaluate strategies for informed action.
Course Feedback Survey
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A microcourse is a short, focused learning experience designed to be completed in manageable segments — so you can fit professional development into your actual schedule, not just your PD days.
Course length varies, but most microcourses are designed to be completed in five hours — and you can pause and return whenever it works for you.
All courses are developed by teachers in collaboration with William & Mary faculty researchers, museum professionals, and other experts. Courses are grounded in learning science and backed by William & Mary’s decades of leadership in civic education. Content is designed to be rigorous and immediately applicable in the classroom.
Five courses are available for free during the public beta:Artifact Analysis, Civil Discourse, History Inquiry, Nonfiction Reading Strategies, and Podcasting in the Classroom. More courses will be added soon.
When you complete a lilyPD course, you’ll receive a downloadable certificate worth 5 hours of professional development, accredited by William & Mary’s School of Education.
Discover more courses
Continue your professional development journey with these related courses.
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Artifact Analysis
Explore dynamic ways to support artifact analysis in your social studies classroom.
Civil Discourse in the Classroom
This course introduces educators to a research-backed framework for facilitating productive, respectful dialogue in classrooms of all levels.
Podcasting for Educators
Learn how to use professional podcasts as powerful classroom texts and support students as they create podcasts.
Historical Inquiry in the Classroom
Made for any social studies teacher who wants to elevate their inquiry instruction and empower students to think like historians.
Nonfiction Reading Strategies
Learn how to teach students to read strategically in any subject area, so they can navigate nonfiction texts with purpose, confidence, and clarity.
