The Interview Podcast (IP) requires you to produce a podcast that features a solo discussion or an interview with a classmate, peer in the program, or professional technical communicator. The IP is challenging because it requires preparation (framing a set of topics for discussion), audio production (recording, editing, development of complementary content), and because most of this work requires you to use technology that is likely new to you.
This project requires draft and final submissions. All files are submitted to a Intern Podcast folder in your shared course space on Dropbox.com. Each submission stage will include 3 files.
Document type: memo; podcast + treatment
Document length: 150 words (memo); 10-15 minutes (podcast); 1 page (treatment)
Project value: 200 points
Evaluation rubric: _RPW230_Eval_InterviewPodcast.pdf
The IP project is a recorded discussion of topics and issues relevant to investigation in technical communication, information design, and design thinking. Based on your reading and exploration of ideas in class this semester and of topics that interest you as a developing professional,
There are 3 components to your podcast preparation.
If you have two participants, plan for one or more recordings that total 10-20 minutes of final podcast content.
If your group grows to 3 or more participants, increase the final podcast time to 20-30 minutes. If you record with more than 3 people, set 30 total minutes of recorded discussion as your project goal.
Plan ahead for editing your podcast. SVSU supports Adobe Audition in our labs. If you do not have access to Audition, then consider Audacity. If you have experience with a different package, use what you are comfortable with.
Test your equipment at the beginning of the recording process. Make sure you have a good signal. That is, observe your signal levels on your recording/editing package. Hard syllables should register in the yellow bands. If you are not sure what that means, watch one of the videos that support recording that I have provided through SVSU Canvas.
As you begin, introduce the participants for the session and the topic(s) up for discussion. During the recording process, if your discussion group loses focus, pause for an extended moment to make that segment easier to identify later when you are editing. Trim such moments from your podcast.
Add intro music (and outtro music). I have provided links to royalty-free music suitable for such purposes through SVSU Canvas.
When your final podcast is ready to export, save the file in mp3 format.
Once your have completed the recording and editing processes, prepare your podcast treatment document. Use the sample document provided through SVSU Canvas as a design guide. Your treatment need not exceed a single page in length, and should include the following content.
A memo of transmittal introduces the accompanying document to its audience(s). You will craft such a memo with each submission for the project. Your memos should be addressed from you to me, and should introduce the accompanying project. Your memos should incorporate the following content elements.
Recommended tool(s): Adobe Audition, or Audacity for the podcast; Microsoft Word for the podcast treatment; microphone; headphones
This section offers guidance for how to interpret the project, and for how to proceed with your work on it. Therefore, as you work, consider the following strategies.
The best way to get a sense of how podcasts work and sound is to listen to a few podcast episodes. There are many available on every conceivable topic, and a search using any standard search engine will connect you to a wide variety of shows.
Establish a connection with your audience. Sustain that connection throughout your podcast. Consider what would help you create a connection to a topic or issue, and seek to craft the same through your discussion. Consider the needs and expectations of people who are new to professional experiences such as an internship assignment.
This section is designed to help you anticipate and avoid problems as you work on this project. Therefore, as you work, consider the following hints and tips.
Use the best tools available to you. Reserve equipment from the PTW Audio & Video Production Studio, if that is an option. If you use your own equipment, get at least some dedicated equipment (e.g., microphone, headphones). Take the time to learn how to best implement those tools and technologies.
Focus on the little and big details. Make sure your audio is strong and clear. Review what you say and how you say it. Redo material that does not meet expectations. Pay attention to detail in your podcast treatment.
Once you have completed your recording, review your podcast to make sure that (1) your delivery is professional, coherent, and well paced, and (2) your audio is clear, audible, and free of distracting clicks or other background sounds.
Read and attend carefully to these submission guidelines. Failure to do so may result in delays in receiving feedback on the draft of your project, or in points lost on the final evaluation of your project.
Create a project folder inside your shared class folder on Dropbox.com. Remember, I can only view files that you place inside the shared folder. Until you place files in that space, you have not in practice submitted them.
Name the folder Interview Podcast.
Make sure the files listed below are available to me in the project folder by the final deadline. Model your filenames on the listed examples:
Note. Do not share the individual files with me. By placing them in your project folder, you have already shared them by default.
This section describes the standards by which your draft and final submissions will be evaluated.
There are 200 possible points for this project. The first draft is the final submission. You will earn points according to the standard described on the policies page (40% content development, 40% design execution & delivery of the podcast, and 20% professionalism & attention to detail; see Policies). The specific areas of emphasis for this project are drawn from the description and discussion of the project, and are detailed in the evaluation rubric (_RPW230_Eval_InterviewPodcast.pdf).
Remember that I will only post the point values for projects on the Grades page in SVSU Canvas. I will post the details relevant to that evaluation in your class folder in a project-specific file.
If you are here because of random chance, or because this content came up in a search, then poke about, and read if you see something useful or interesting. If you are a teacher in any context, and would like to use any of this content in your courses, feel free to do so. However, if you do so, please do two things: