Behind the Scenes: Lesson Kit on Building a Podcast (Inspired by Ant & Dec’s Launch)

Hook: Teach podcasting without the guesswork — a classroom kit inspired by Ant & Dec’s launch

Teachers: short on prep time and looking for a structured media project that actually engages students? Students: eager to create but unsure where to start with scripting, recording and publishing? This lesson kit gives you a complete, step-by-step roadmap to design, script, record and assess a short student podcast — inspired by the 2026 launch of Ant & Dec’s new show "Hanging Out" and built for today's audio landscape.

Why this matters in 2026

Podcasting in 2026 has shifted. After a large boom in the 2010s and a plateau in the early 2020s, late 2024 through 2025 saw a resurgence driven by short-form audio slices, AI-assisted editing, and creators cross-posting audio to video-first platforms. Big-name talents like Ant & Dec launching a new show on their own Belta Box channel in early 2026 show how mainstream personalities still rely on conversational formats and audience Q&A. For classrooms, that means a low-barrier, high-engagement project that also teaches digital literacy, storytelling and collaboration.

The inverted-pyramid summary: essentials first

• Goal: Produce a 6-8 minute student podcast episode from concept to upload.
• Timeframe: Flexible — a focused 3-class mini-unit (3x75 minutes) or a 4-week curriculum module.
• Key outputs: Episode audio file, episode show notes, short promo clip, reflective journal, assessment rubrics.
• Skills taught: Scriptwriting, voice performance, basic audio recording and editing, project planning and digital citizenship.

Unit formats: quick workshop vs. 4-week module

One-day workshop (3 hours)

1. Introduction & inspiration (20 minutes): Play a short clip from Ant & Dec's "Hanging Out" trailer and discuss format.
2. Rapid concept & audience mapping (30 minutes): Groups pick a niche and define audience and episode question.
3. Scriptwriting sprint (45 minutes): Draft a 6-8 minute script using the template below.
4. Recording demos (40 minutes): Teach mic setup, record a first take on phones or USB mics.
5. Quick edit + share (45 minutes): Use simple tools to trim and export; play back and reflect.

Four-week module (recommended for deeper learning)

1. Week 1 — Research & format design: Audience research, show title, segment planning.
2. Week 2 — Scriptwriting & rehearsal: Scenes, transitions, ad-libs, interview prep.
3. Week 3 — Recording & editing: Mic technique, multi-track basics, AI-assisted noise removal.
4. Week 4 — Publishing & promotion: Show notes, artwork, promo clip for socials, reflection and assessment.

Step-by-step classroom kit

Step 1: Choose a concept (20-30 minutes)

Use Ant & Dec’s approach as a springboard: they asked their audience what they wanted and chose a conversational, ‘hanging out’ format. For students, have groups answer:

• Who is our episode for? (classmates, younger students, local community)
• What will we talk about? (school life, a hobby, book chats, local history)
• What makes our episode unique?

Step 2: Map the audience & show structure (30 minutes)

Teach students to plan segments. A reliable student episode structure looks like this:

1. Intro jingle and episode title (10–20 seconds)
2. Host welcome and episode hook (30–45 seconds)
3. Main segment(s) — interview, discussion, Q&A (4–6 minutes total)
4. Listener question or interactive element (30–60 seconds)
5. Closing, call-to-action and credits (30–45 seconds)

Step 3: Scriptwriting template (45–60 minutes)

Provide a simple script format students can follow. Teach concise scripting to keep episodes tight.

• Episode title and one-sentence premise
• Intro: Host line + teaser question
• Segment A: 2–3 talking points with time cues
• Segment B: Interview or listener responses with prompts
• Wrap: Summary + call-to-action (ask for feedback or a question)

Include stage directions: [SFX], [LAUGH], [PAUSE], and time stamps. Encourage natural conversational tone over rigid read-throughs.

Step 4: Assign roles & plan logistics (20 minutes)

Roles to rotate and assess:

• Host: Guides flow and warms up guests.
• Co-host/guest: Offers content, supports banter.
• Producer: Time checks, runs the script, and hits record.
• Sound engineer/editor: Monitors levels, edits files.
• Promotions lead: Writes show notes and creates short promo clip.

Step 5: Recording basics (45–90 minutes depending on equipment)

Practical, low-cost tips tailored for school settings:

• Find a quiet room. Soft furnishings reduce reverb. Close windows and doors.
• Smartphones are fine: use the rear mic and record in a small, still room. Place the device on a stable surface.
• Prefer USB mics when available. Aim for consistent distance of 15–20 cm from the mouth.
• Use a pop filter or a DIY foam (socks over a stand) to tame plosives.
• Record at -6 dB average peaks to leave headroom. Avoid clipping.

Step 6: Editing & polish (60–120 minutes)

2026 tools streamline classroom editing. Use safe, school-friendly platforms with educator controls. Recommendations and considerations:

• Free/low-cost tools: Open-source audio editors still work (check current versions). Many schools rely on integrated DAWs in learning platforms.
• AI-assisted edits: In late 2025 many apps introduced automatic noise reduction, filler-word removal and chapter markers. Teach students to treat AI as an assistant, not a substitute.
• Transcripts & captions: Use automatic transcription for accessibility and show notes. Check transcripts for accuracy before publishing.

Step 7: Publishing, metadata and promotion (30–60 minutes)

For classroom safety, consider hosting on a private classroom platform or an internal LMS. If public publishing is allowed, you can publish to podcast platforms or share short clips on video-first platforms for discoverability.

• Write clear episode notes: 2–3 sentence summary, time-stamped highlights and credits.
• Create simple cover art: a square image with title and one visual element.
• Promote with a 30-second social clip and a written classroom post asking for feedback.
• Always get parental consent before publishing students' audio publicly and document permissions.

Assessment rubrics — ready to use

Below are scalable rubrics aligned to 2026 media literacy outcomes. Use a 4-point scale: 4 = Excellent, 3 = Good, 2 = Developing, 1 = Needs Improvement.

Rubric 1: Content & Structure (20 points)

• Focus & clarity (0–4): Clear topic, consistent focus and logical sequence.
• Structure (0–4): Effective intro, coherent segments and a concise wrap.
• Audience awareness (0–4): Tone and content match the intended listeners.
• Research & accuracy (0–4): Factual accuracy and relevant sourcing where needed.
• Originality (0–4): Creative angle, fresh perspectives or format innovation.

Rubric 2: Scriptwriting & Performance (20 points)

• Script clarity (0–4): Natural lines and useful stage directions.
• Delivery (0–4): Voice control, pacing and clarity.
• Engagement (0–4): Effective hooks, questions and listener pull.
• Interview technique (0–4): Probing questions and active listening.
• Team coordination (0–4): Smooth handovers and balanced speaking time.

Rubric 3: Technical Production (20 points)

• Audio quality (0–4): Clean recording, low noise and no clipping.
• Editing (0–4): Tight edits, no awkward cuts and balanced levels.
• Use of music & SFX (0–4): Appropriate choice, legal usage and tasteful mixing.
• Show notes & metadata (0–4): Accurate description, timestamps and credits.
• Accessibility (0–4): Transcript provided and clear navigation for listeners.

Rubric 4: Reflection & Professionalism (20 points)

• Self-reflection (0–4): Insightful reflection on strengths and next steps.
• Collaboration (0–4): Respectful teamwork and role fulfilment.
• Timeliness (0–4): Meets deadlines for drafts and recordings.
• Ethics & consent (0–4): Permissions obtained and privacy respected.
• Promotion & engagement (0–4): Effective promotion plan and audience interaction.

Optional: Combine scores for a 100-point grade. Share rubrics before work begins so students know expectations.

Sample discussion prompts inspired by Ant & Dec

Use these to shape episodes or classroom reflections.

• What does "hanging out" as a podcast format invite listeners to expect?
• How do Ant & Dec use their existing audience to shape new digital projects?
• What makes a conversation feel authentic versus scripted?
• How should creators balance entertainment value with factual accuracy?
• How can we protect privacy when we collect listener questions from peers?

"We asked our audience what they wanted and they said 'we just want you guys to hang out'" — an approach perfect for classroom conversation shows.

Practical templates & quick checklists

Episode worksheet (one page)

• Episode title:
• Target audience:
• One-line premise:
• Top 3 talking points:
• Guest prompts/questions:
• Run time target:
• Role assignments:

Recording checklist

• Quiet room, minimal reverb
• Microphone connected and tested
• Levels set to avoid clipping
• All participants with water & copies of script
• Backup recording enabled if possible

Editing quick wins

• Remove long pauses and filler words sparingly
• Normalize loudness to a consistent LUFS level for class playback
• Apply gentle EQ to reduce boxiness and improve clarity
• Export as MP3 for easy sharing or WAV for archiving

Curriculum mapping and skills planning

This kit supports cross-curricular outcomes. Map activities to your local standards — for example:

• English / ELA: Writing scripts, persuasive language, interview questions.
• Media Studies: Production values, audience analysis, genre conventions.
• Drama: Voice and performance techniques, staging, improvisation.
• ICT / Computing: File management, audio-editing workflows and online publishing basics.
• Personal, social & health education: Consent, online safety and respectful collaborations.

Ethics, safeguarding and legal points (must-do)

• Obtain written consent from parents or guardians when students are identifiable in recordings.
• Do not share personal data in episodes. Teach students to anonymize or secure permission.
• Use licensed music or royalty-free options. Cite sources in show notes.
• When using AI voices or edits, disclose any synthetic content to listeners.

Assessment conversation: formative & summative

Use formative checks after scripting and rehearsal to give feedback and use the summative rubrics after publishing. Encourage peer review rounds where classmates leave audio or written feedback focused on 2 things that worked and 1 thing to try next.

Teacher tips & troubleshooting

• If recordings sound echoey, move to smaller rooms or add soft surfaces (blankets, cushions).
• For edit time constraints, prioritize a clean intro and one polished segment rather than several rough ones.
• Maintain a simple naming convention for files: class_group_episode_date.mp3
• Model the expectation by sharing a short teacher-created episode first.

Future-forward ideas for 2026 and beyond

Introduce students to cross-platform thinking. Short-form clips for social platforms often drive listenership, but teachers should discuss trade-offs like context loss. In 2026, AI tools will become more capable — use them for transcripts and noise reduction, but keep students in charge of content and ethics. Encourage iterative publishing: release a pilot episode, gather feedback, then revise.

Wrap-up: classroom output checklist

• Final episode audio 6–8 minutes
• Episode show notes and transcript
• 30-second promo clip for classroom display or social sharing
• Reflection journal entry from each participant
• Completed assessment rubric signed by teacher and students

Call-to-action

Ready to run this in your classroom? Download the printable lesson kit, editable rubrics and script templates from our teacher resources page. Try a pilot episode with one group this term, share the clip with our teacher community and join thebooks.club educators forum to swap feedback and ideas. Let Ant & Dec’s conversational approach inspire your students to make audio that sounds like real conversation — and starts real learning.

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