Western+Hemisphere+Podcast

Assignment: You will be creating a podcast about a country found in the Western Hemisphere.

Objective: Research a country in the Western Hemisphere & demonstrate knowledge by preparing a report. Reports will be done via podcasting.

 Directions: 1. You will choose a country, using the **SMARTBOARD** ([|randomizer.notebook]), from the following list (all of these countries are found in the Western Hemisphere):

A. Venezuela B. Columbia C. Haiti D. Costa Rica E. Cuba F. Brazil

2. Research your country using the **GRAPHIC ORGANIZER** ([|Western Hemisphere Podcast Graphic Organizer.doc]) provided to you. Use the **websites** found at the **bottom of this page** to help with your research. As you research, focus on the following topics:

A. **History** (How did the country come to be the way it is? Major events. Important figures.) B. **Government & Economy** (What is the style of government? Who are the leaders? Type of economy? GDP & GDP per capita. Major industries. Major imports/exports.) C. **People & Religion** (What makes up the culture?) D. **Landforms/Landmarks** (What physical features are important? How do these physical features affect the culture? Famous landmarks?) E. **Major Issues** (Wars? International relationships between other countries? Internal struggles? Immigration or Emigration?)

3. Using the **SMARTBOARD (**[|randomizer.notebook]), you will determine your target audience. This will help give you a specific style for your podcast. The following is a list of your possible target audiences:

A. **Disney Channel** (Upbeat, springy, positive light, designed for kids) B. **Spike TV** (In your face, to the extreme, martial arts, target audience: young adult males) C. **Travel Channel** (Exotic, appealing place to visit, fun in the sun, highlight the best parts, cruise ship/tourism) D. **Mystery Channel** (Dark & mysterious, keep the listener in suspense, suspenseful sounds, dark and ominous) E. **PBS/History Channel** (Straight forward, informational, not a lot of bells and whistles)

Depending upon your target audience, you will need to embellish some facts and pull back on (or make light of) others. Remember who your audience is (i.e. If you are creating a podcast for the Travel Channel, you will want to really talk about the best parts of your country and just briefly mention the bad parts.) Whatever your target audience is, still mention all parts of your research, but emphasize some points over others.

4. Write your script using Microsoft **WORD**. You need to know what you are going to say, how long it will take you to say it, and to whom you are speaking. If you are working on the school's computers, save the script to **YOUR** documents folder as "last name/country" (i.e. WarnerCanada). You will then need to drag the document over top of the "W" on your dock. Type your script **EXACTLY** as you are going to speak it. ([|script.doc])

5. Proofread your script. If you need to edit or correct mistakes, make sure you do. Have a teacher check your script (after you have already checked it yourself) before continuing.

6. Using **GARAGEBAND**, you will begin recording your podcast. Make sure you read from your script.

Websites: U.S. Department of State Culture Grams Lonely Planet

Podcast Tutorial: [|podcasttutorial.doc]

Evaluation: Your podcast will be evaluated based on the attached rubric: ([|Western Hemisphere Podcast Grading Rubric.doc]) You will also be asked to use the peer evaluation to evaluate your classmates Podcast. ([|Podcastpeereval.doc])