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Best Podcast Apps and Websites for Students

Podcasts are a beloved source of news, entertainment, and culture, not to mention groundbreaking journalism and storytelling. They're also a great tool for classrooms. Listening to podcasts can offer students on-the-go insight into current events or compelling stories that supplement and extend classroom learning. Creating podcasts can help students organize and communicate, building key writing and speaking skills while also learning recording, editing, and publishing skills. This list compiles some great podcasts that'll help students see what's possible, plus recording, editing, and sharing tools to make their own shows a reality.

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Podcasts

Search, access, and organize podcasts from iTunes' free library

Bottom line: This valuable tool helps teachers and students find educational podcasts that can supplement or replace the use of traditional textbooks.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free

GarageBand

Amazingly powerful audio workstation unleashes creativity

Bottom line: There's exceptional functionality in this solid, all-inclusive audio workstation that's fantastic for high-quality, anytime, and anywhere audio recording and sharing.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free 32 GB or larger iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 10 or later, or recently purchased Mac laptops/desktops, already have installed installed.

Science Friday

A weekly dose of curiosity for teachers and students alike

Bottom line: For a weekly rejuvenation of scientific learning, Science Friday is a source of inspiration for both teachers and students.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free

Audacity

Free online music-maker also a lesson in open-source software quality

Bottom line: With tons of quality tutorials and help, this free recording site is a real treat for those who don't have access to the branded software.

Grades: 5–12 Price: Free

StoryCorps

From the everyday to the extraordinary, personal interviews get kids listening

Bottom line: It's a great resource to help demonstrate the value of listening and the importance of storytelling and interviewing skills.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

Listenwise

Bring real-world stories from public radio into the classroom

Bottom line: A fantastic resource that brings both historical and current event public radio stories into the classroom.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free to Try, Paid

Youth Radio

A stellar take on the news from diverse kid journalists

Bottom line: An outstanding place to find fresh voices and NPR-quality content created by kids.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

Radio Rookies

Teens share enthusiastic voices on serious topics

Bottom line: Radio Rookies could use a few content updates, but its heart is in the right place and it shows.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free

Soundtrap

Powerful online audio production with built-in collaboration features

Bottom line: Soundtrap is a uniquely collaborative music-production environment, but you'll want to evaluate the privacy issues and what the pricey EDU version offers.

Grades: 8–12 Price: Free to Try, Paid 30-day free trial. Afterward, it costs $249 per year for up to 50 students and $474 per year for 100 students. This version includes all the premium features of the consumer version plus extra security and privacy for COPPA compliance and a teacher dashboard.

HowStuffWorks

Explore the world's nuts and bolts in this fab interactive info hub

Bottom line: Interesting, well-researched articles make this free resource a gem.

Grades: 9–12 Price: Free

NPR: Borderland

Illuminating, up-close-and-personal visit to the U.S.-Mexico border

Bottom line: As a truly unique resource that's worth using, teachers will need to create lessons that scaffold students' understanding of the complex issues found within.

Grades: 9–12 Price: Free

NPR News

Top-notch digital content takes students beyond the airwaves

Bottom line: Provides an easy, fun, and effective way to engage students with radio.

Grades: 9–12 Price: Free

NPR One

Trusty podcast app has quality content but lacks learning supports

Bottom line: An enticing free option for connecting current events to content through podcasts, but student engagement hinges on how you incorporate it.

Grades: 9–12 Price: Free