Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Podcasting
Coursework Tasks
Embark on an exciting journey of practical tasks and knowledge assessments tailored to your chosen qualification. As you delve into the world of media production, these hands-on tasks will put your skills to the test, reflecting the complexity and variety befitting your level of expertise. It’s your chance to demonstrate your flair for podcasting production and showcase your knowledge, skills, and understanding that align with the grade you aim to achieve.
But it doesn’t stop there! These technical skills you develop serve as a solid launching pad for your ongoing technical and creative growth. By acing the coursework task and proving your grasp of the underlying concepts, you’ll unlock the potential to elevate your podcasting prowess to new heights. Get ready to pave the way for a future filled with exciting technical advancements and boundless creative exploration.
Key Features (Level 1)
Our Level 1 (Debut to Grade 3) Podcasting qualifications equip individuals with the fundamental skills for creating engaging audio content. At this level, it is important that the presented audio meets a reasonable standard of recording and production. Distortion and distracting artefacts should be absent, ensuring a clean and professional sound. Demonstrating a basic understanding of volume control is essential.
Candidates will showcase their grasp of podcasting essentials, including how to initiate a podcast and commence a broadcast. They will also display a basic understanding of storytelling, presenting their podcasts with a clear structural outline. Attention to voice control, including breathing, phrasing, and expression, will be evident. Furthermore, candidates should exhibit the ability to maintain captivating conversations during interviews.
This qualification establishes a solid foundation for podcasters, allowing them to deliver audio content that meets quality standards while effectively engaging their audience.
Grade 2 Coursework Task Example
This is an example of a possible coursework task that could be presented at Podcasting Grade 2.
01
Coursework Task
Weighting: 90%
Candidates are to choose a subject and create two podcasts on it.
Podcast 1
This podcast should last approximately 2 minutes. It should consist of voice and backing music. Candidates can choose if the music is just at the intro or outro stage or runs throughout the podcast.
Podcast 2
This should be a follow-up to the first podcast. The podcast should last approximately 2 minutes. It should contain similar audio branding (backing music) to the first podcast.
Example:
The following subject and content should be considered as indicative to the required grade standard, and should be used as a guide and reference only:
Subject: Favourite TV* shows (*including Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Disney+ etc)
Content: The candidate should present 2 x 2-min podcasts, which might introduce and provide a basic, but developing, description of the show under discussion.
The first podcast content might include a welcoming introduction from the candidate, and an outline of the concept of the TV show, including an explanation of their favourite character, a description of why they are the candidate’s favourite character, and a description of one of the major storylines for this character.
The second podcast might focus on a second character from the show, who may or may not be related to the first character. An explanation might be provided on why this character was chosen for the podcast, and how this character differs from their favourite character described in the first podcast. The included music should not be taken from the television show, but is rather a representation of the personality of the candidate or the style of the show.
File format
Candidates must bounce the resulting mixes to new stereo audio files. MP3, WAV and AIFF formats are all acceptable.
02
Evaluation
Weighting: 10%
Candidates will answer the following questions regarding the coursework task.
Questions
What were the important skills you used to create your podcasts?
How did you make sure the listener stayed interested in your podcasts?
How did you choose the subject that you used in your podcasts?
How did you ensure that the two podcasts created linked to each other?
Responses
Answers can be written or audio/video recordings of the candidate answering the questions. The total word count of all of the responses together should be a maximum of 300 words or 4 minutes of audio/video.
Key Features (Level 2)
Our Level 2 (Grades 4 and 5) Podcasting qualifications set the stage for exceptional audio production. Candidates demonstrate a high standard of recorded and produced audio, incorporating contemporary techniques and expert audio mixing.
With a solid grasp of sonic branding principles, candidates showcase their prowess in presenting, storytelling, and skillfully integrating music. Their communication skills shine as they engage listeners throughout the audio, leaving a lasting impression.
Level up your podcasting journey with our Level 2 qualifications, mastering advanced production techniques, captivating storytelling, and seamless communication for an unforgettable podcasting experience.
Grade 5 Coursework Task Example
This is an example of a possible coursework task that could be presented at Podcasting Grade 5.
01
Coursework Task
Weighting: 90%
Candidates are to create two podcasts in different genres. The genres of the podcasts are to be chosen from the lists below. The genre of the first podcast is to be chosen from Group A; the genre of the second podcast from Group B.
Group A Genres: Business, Comedy,Current affairs / topical stories, Games and hobbies, History, Music.
Group B genres: Crime, Environment / science, Interview cast, Popular culture, Sports, Technology.
Podcast 1
This podcast (genre chosen from Group A) will last approximately 3 minutes. This podcast will be narrated by the candidate and should feature an interview. It should consist of voice, and backing music and include two dedicated audio ‘stings’. Candidate can choose how and when/where to use the backing music and stings.
Podcast 2
This podcast (genre chosen from Group B) will last between 4 and 5 minutes. This podcast will be narrated by the candidate and should feature story, plot and character development. The use of character actors and ambient or spot fx is encouraged, where appropriate. Audio branding throughout the two podcasts should be consistent. This might be achieved through the use of backing music, sound quality, and audio stings.
File format
Candidates must bounce the resulting mixes to new stereo audio files. MP3, WAV and AIFF formats are all acceptable.
02
Evaluation
Weighting: 10%
Candidates will answer the following questions regarding the coursework task.
Questions
What were the important skills your used to create your podcasts?
How did you make sure the listener stayed interested in your podcasts?
How did you choose the subjects that you used in your podcasts?
Responses
Answers can be written or audio/video recordings of the candidate answering the questions. The total word count of all of the responses together should be a maximum of 450 words or 5 minutes of audio/video.
Key Features (Level 3)
Embark on an audio journey of excellence with our Level 3 (Grades 6 to 8) Podcasting qualifications. Experience exceptional audio quality, expertly mixed with contemporary techniques. Discover captivating storytelling and masterful presenting, narrating, and interviewing skills. Immerse yourself in the art of sonic branding, creating a lasting impact with seamlessly blended music and effects.
Candidates showcase their mastery of storytelling, demonstrating impeccable structure, plot development, and engaging communication. Witness their captivating use of voice recording and compelling interaction with interviewees. Engage listeners with conviction, leaving a lasting impression through their personality and charisma.
Level up your podcasting game with our Level 3 qualifications. Dive into the world of exceptional audio, captivating storytelling, and compelling communication. Unleash your creativity and make your mark in the podcasting realm.
Grade 8 Coursework Task Example
This is an example of a possible coursework task that could be presented at Podcasting Grade 8.
01
Coursework Task
Weighting: 90%
Candidates are to create a five-part podcast series within a genre of their own choosing.
Podcast Series
Each podcast should last approximately 5 minutes and be narrated by the candidate. Audio branding throughout the series should be consistent. This might be achieved through the use of backing music, sound quality, and audio stings.
At least three of the podcasts should contain either an interview or a recording of a character (or characters), depending on the nature of the genre.The podcasts should demonstrate advanced descriptions and deductions, which exceed the content expectations of the previous grades.
Consideration should be shown for the thematic connection between the podcasts, and the series should reveal either a growth and understanding to development of plot/story/characters, or consistent brand values if subject matter varies. At the heart of the series should be the development of characterisation and plotline, which should remain fundamental to the narrative throughout.
Character actors, ambient or spot fx could be included to add appropriate dimension to the storyline. The chosen backing music and audio stings might be used to enhance the dramatic narrative of the description, using sonic representations which are characteristic to that storyline, as well as highlighting more complex emotive states.
File format
Candidates must bounce the resulting mixes to new stereo audio files. MP3, WAV and AIFF formats are all acceptable.
02
Evaluation
Weighting: 10%
Candidates will answer the following questions regarding the coursework task.
Questions
What were the important skills you used to create your podcasts?
How did you ensure the podcasts were produced with a professional approach?
How did you choose the subject for your podcast series?
What creative devices did you use to connect your podcasts?
Responses
Answers can be written or audio/video recordings of the candidate answering the questions. The total word count of all of the responses together should be a maximum of 700 words or 8 minutes of audio/video.
