Students

MMCC8090 – Podcast and New Audio Storytelling

2026 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jon Burtt
jon.burtt@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrInd or MMediaComm
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides students with knowledge of principles and practices of podcasting and new audio storytelling. The unit explores podcasting in local, national and international contexts. Practical workshops will incorporate skills and techniques of devising and presenting podcasts, including: making location recordings, conducting pre-recorded location and studio interviews, exploring techniques and practices of podcasting and new audio storytelling, programming, scripted voice segments, promotion, entertainment, and feature package production using state-of-the-art recording/editing/mixing software. 

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate understanding and application of podcasting and audio storytelling techniques for diverse contexts.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate conceptual, communication and expression skills relevant to audio storytelling. 
  • ULO3: Evaluate and implement a range of operational, technical and creative industry skills related to podcast creation and new forms of program making.
  • ULO4: Collaborate professionally to produce a range of creative outputs.
  • ULO5: Analyse and evaluate creative and professional practices, with an emphasis on content creation and production in a range of contexts.

General Assessment Information

Late assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

These are serious penalties that will substantially alter your final grade and even determine whether you pass or fail this unit. Please make every effort to submit your assignment by the due date. If you find you cannot submit your assignment on time, please apply for Special Consideration through AskMQ. Make sure you read Macquarie University's policy regarding Special Consideration requests before you apply: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Interview 25% No 04/09/2026 Individual Yes Open
Audio Feature 35% No 05/10/2026 Individual Yes Open
Audio Program 40% No 06/11/2026 Individual Yes Open

Interview

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 04/09/2026
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Students will plan, record and edit an interview. 

Refer to iLearn for further information. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding and application of podcasting and audio storytelling techniques for diverse contexts.
  • Demonstrate conceptual, communication and expression skills relevant to audio storytelling. 
  • Evaluate and implement a range of operational, technical and creative industry skills related to podcast creation and new forms of program making.
  • Analyse and evaluate creative and professional practices, with an emphasis on content creation and production in a range of contexts.

Audio Feature

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 05/10/2026
Weighting: 35%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Students will research, record, write and construct a feature story or other creative audio piece in sound.

Refer to iLearn for further information. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding and application of podcasting and audio storytelling techniques for diverse contexts.
  • Demonstrate conceptual, communication and expression skills relevant to audio storytelling. 
  • Evaluate and implement a range of operational, technical and creative industry skills related to podcast creation and new forms of program making.
  • Analyse and evaluate creative and professional practices, with an emphasis on content creation and production in a range of contexts.

Audio Program

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: 06/11/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Students will collaborate to create an audio program. This will also include a written reflection component.

Refer to iLearn for further information. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding and application of podcasting and audio storytelling techniques for diverse contexts.
  • Demonstrate conceptual, communication and expression skills relevant to audio storytelling. 
  • Evaluate and implement a range of operational, technical and creative industry skills related to podcast creation and new forms of program making.
  • Collaborate professionally to produce a range of creative outputs.
  • Analyse and evaluate creative and professional practices, with an emphasis on content creation and production in a range of contexts.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

DELIVERY METHODS

This Unit uses Lectures and Workshop/Tutorials. This Unit introduces a range of technologies/tools, digital audio softwares, and will provide instruction in these and in the craft of making and presenting audio material and programs designed for radio, podcast and other audio media dominant forms, eg for download or accessed online. Professional and crafted podcasting forms, techniques and skills are modelled and taught to students.

Lectures and Tutorials/Workshops commence in Week 2. It is essential to attend all classes (online or in person) and participate using iLearn each week. NB: Lectures will be recorded on Echo360 you can attend onlineor in person. 

Technical Assistance and support is provided in Tutorial/Workshops (whether in person on campus or via Zoom link) and students need to be able to attend these throughout the semester. If possible for the student, the Face to face on campus option is strongly advised for this unit. Please contact the Convenor if you would like to know more.

CORE REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

  • One set of good quality closed or semi-closed headphones (compulsory for each student for hygiene and safety reasons). Advice in class and iLearn.
  • Laptop or other computer. NB: students can use computers in our tutorial rooms within access hours, plus other equipment can be booked.
  • Memory device to store and transfer audio data, or other method for storage.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook