Teaching With Podcasts: Do They Have a Place in the Classroom?

Podcasts are everywhere, so why not also in the classroom?

In the past years (well really, post-pandemic) we’ve all noticed a shift in how students learn. Or at least, we’ve seen a shift in teaching. Flexibility is no longer an extra nice-to-have—it’s a need-to-have. Additionally, for students who struggle to focus on dense readings, who learn better by listening, or who are juggling commutes and jobs, podcasts offer a way for them to engage with learning content on their own terms.

Now, we wouldn’t say ditch the textbooks or cancel all the lecture halls yet. But podcasts do offer students another door into the material and in many cases…a door they’re more likely to walk through. Teaching with podcasts just makes sense. And when done right, it can boost student engagement, support different learning styles, and even improve academic performance.

Let’s break down why teaching with podcasts has earned its spot in the classroom—and how to make it work.

What Does Teaching With Podcasts Look Like?

So, what do we mean when we talk about teaching with podcasts?

Essentially we mean using audio (on-demand and portable) as part of how students learn, reflect, and show what they know. There are two main ways this shows up in the classroom: instructor-produced podcasts and student-produced podcasts.

Instructor-Produced Podcasts

This is the more traditional route. Instructors create podcasts that deliver supplemental learning content students would otherwise get in a lecture or a textbook. These instructor podcasts might look like:

• Short episodes explaining a tricky concept

• “Mini-lectures” to review before class

• Behind-the-scenes reflections on course topics (“Here’s what I’m reading this week…”)

• Extra content students can explore if they want to go deeper

The idea here is to give students more ways to interact with the material, on their own time. These podcasts can help free up extra class time for discussion, projects, or collaborative work. Research shows they also boost student engagement, especially when used with other active learning methods.

It’s worth noting that concerns about podcasting replacing lectures haven’t really held up. One study found that students used podcasts mostly to review material they’d already heard in class, not to skip the class altogether. And in another they found students using podcasts alongside lectures performed significantly better on surprise tests than those attending lectures only.

Student-Produced Podcasts

Here’s where things get a bit more creative. Instead of writing an essay or giving a slide-deck presentation, students can produce their very own podcast episodes. This might mean:

• Presenting research as a scripted podcast

• Recording interviews with experts or peers

• Creating a podcast series on course themes

• Producing discussion episodes that replace written reflections

Students become the creators. And research shows that when students produce content for an audience—especially one beyond the professor—they put in more effort and feel more ownership over their learning.

Making a podcast also taps into more constructive thinking. The exercise takes them beyond just learning a concept. When they are able to explain it clearly, structure it logically, and make it interesting for a listener, they retain the lesson better.

What’s even more exciting is that this assignment could turn into something even bigger. Zachary Fox-DeVol of We The Children first got into podcasting as a school project. After being supported and inspired by his teacher, he created an award-winning show, transforming climate education. You can check out the case study here.

Why Now?

Students already know this format. A 2025 study showed that 85% of people aged 12+ in the U.S. are familiar with podcasts. Podcasts are mainstream and most students have the tech skills to listen to and even produce podcasts already.

In other words: you wouldn’t be asking students to adopt a new medium. You’re just inviting them to use a familiar one in a smarter way.

Benefits of Teaching With Podcasts

You’ve seen how you could incorporate podcasting into your curriculum, but what's the real payoff? Is it worth your time? Well, there’s been loads of studies that show when used well, podcasts can actually improve how students learn, and how they feel about learning. On top of that…it can be a little fun for you as a teacher as well.

Here's how podcasts benefit student learning.

Academic Performance

Let’s start with the obvious: do podcasts help students do better?

Across multiple studies, the answer is yes. In a review of ten peer-reviewed studies comparing podcast learning to traditional lectures, five found significantly better performance for students using podcasts. The other five? No difference. Which still means podcasts held their own.

One standout statistic: in a study by Raupach for the Journal of Medical Internet Research, students who used podcasts paired with quizzes scored 38.7% on a surprise test, compared to just 2.2% for those attending standard lectures. Another trial found that students using audio podcasts scored 7.95 out of 13, versus 6.05 out of 13 in the lecture-only group.

Podcasts can help students retain and learn. With the right structure—like embedded quizzes or segmented content—they can actually outperform traditional instruction.

Equity and Inclusion

We’ve said that podcasts offer a flexible learning medium, but more than that, they can also help create more equitable classrooms.

A while back there was a push for students who learned visually, and in came creative slide decks and videos to supplement textbooks.

Well, now we can consider students who learn by listening. At the same time, those who speak English as a second language, or who deal with anxiety in large lecture halls can all benefit from podcasts. With this audio medium, they can slow down, re-listen, pause, and learn on their own terms.

Research shows that this format can reduce anxiety and help correct preconceptions about lecture-heavy environments. For ESL learners, podcasts offer authentic language exposure they can revisit as often as needed.

This kind of access doesn’t just help students keep up, it helps them thrive.

Student Engagement and Motivation

Let’s be honest: podcasts are fun. Students already listen to them. When we bring them into the classroom, we're meeting students where they already are.

In one study, medical students said they found podcasts more engaging and enjoyable than reading the same material in a textbook. Students aren’t just passive listeners, either. When they produce their own podcasts—writing scripts, recording audio, sharing episodes—they start thinking like creators and retain that information better.

This kind of work sparks intrinsic motivation. One study noted that students put more time and effort into a podcast assignment when they knew their peers would be listening.

Challenges and Considerations

Let’s be real: teaching with podcasts sounds cool (and we may be biased, but it is), but it’s not zero effort. There are a few things to consider before you go all in.

First, it takes time. Planning, scripting, recording, editing—it adds up, especially if you’re new to the tools. For students, too, podcasting might require some light tech onboarding. You’ll want to factor in time to teach or point them toward podcasting resources.

And on that note, you need to make sure the content is worth it. These podcasts shouldn’t be just a recorded lecture. They should be an engaging content piece, with a concept from a new angle, adding to the learning content, rather than repeating it. This could be a narrative storytelling approach, or interviews with multiple individuals for new perspectives.

Audio quality is another thing. It matters more than you think. Bad sound can actually reduce student motivation and distract from the learning goals. You don’t need a pro studio, but a decent mic, a quiet room, and some quick editing can make a big difference.

Another consideration is that podcasts really shouldn’t stand alone. For podcasts to actually support learning, they need to be woven into the curriculum. That could mean follow-up assignments, in-class discussion, or quick check-in quizzes. One guide recommends connecting podcasts to specific activities, saying students are more likely to engage when they know it’s part of the course rhythm.

Finally, support is key. Not every student (or instructor) is a podcast pro from day one. Offering clear instructions, examples, and access to tech help makes a big difference. Some campuses even have podcast studios or multimedia labs you can tap into. Scaffolding the process—like reviewing scripts before recording or building in checkpoints—helps everyone succeed without the stress.

Conclusion

So, do podcasts have a place in the classroom? Absolutely. Whether you're breaking down complex topics in short, snackable episodes or letting students flex their creativity through their own podcast projects, the potential is real. Teaching with podcasts can improve engagement, support different learning styles, and make space for deeper, more flexible learning. But like any great tool, they’re most powerful when backed by intention, support, and a bit of prep.