Designing a Podcast-Based Research Assignment: Using 'The Secret World of Roald Dahl' as a Model

Hook: Turn exam stress and dry reports into creative research that actually teaches methods

Teachers: tired of grading 10 indistinguishable research papers? Students: bored by checklist assignments that don’t build real-world skills? A podcast assignment can transform research methods, interviewing, and storytelling into an engaging, assessable project. Using the 2026 doc‑series The Secret World of Roald Dahl — released January 19, 2026 by iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment — as a model, this guide gives you a complete, classroom-ready plan: a step‑by‑step workflow, interview techniques, sourcing standards, ethical checkpoints, and a rubric you can drop into your LMS.

Why a podcast assignment — and why now (2026 trends)

Audio storytelling is one of the fastest‑growing pedagogical media in 2024–2026. Documentary podcasts like The Secret World of Roald Dahl illustrate how narrative research, archival digging, and interviews produce layered, memorable arguments. In late 2025 and early 2026 we’ve seen three trends that make podcast projects timely and teachable:

• Documentary podcast maturity: Professional series now model high standards for sourcing, transparency, and narrative craft — ideal exemplars for students.
• Edtech + AI toolset: Tools such as Descript, Otter, and Adobe Podcast have matured with ethical guardrails in 2025–26, making transcription and editing accessible while highlighting the need for responsible use.
• Assessment innovation: Schools are adopting multimedia rubrics and digital literacy competencies; podcasts map naturally to research methods, oral history, and media ethics standards.

“a life far stranger than fiction” — how The Secret World of Roald Dahl frames angle‑driven research.

Quick takeaways (what you’ll get)

• Complete, classroom‑tested step‑by‑step workflow for producing a student podcast about a historical or literary figure.
• A ready‑to‑use rubric (100 points) with descriptors for Research, Interviewing, Storytelling, Technical Quality, Ethics/Citation, and Reflection.
• Practical interview templates, sourcing checklists, and a six‑week schedule.
• Guidance on 2026 tool choices and ethical uses of AI for transcription and voice work.

Assignment overview (inverted pyramid: learning goals first)

Primary learning objectives: Demonstrate rigorous research methods; design and conduct interviews; craft a 10–15 minute narrative audio piece; document sources and ethical decisions.

Student output: One 10–15 minute podcast episode (audio file + 500–800 word annotated bibliography and transcript) and a 300–500 word reflective statement about research choices and ethics.

Step‑by‑step guide

1. Define the focus and angle (1 week)

Model: The Secret World of Roald Dahl chose a revealing angle — Dahl’s MI6 connections — to reframe familiar material. Teach students to pick an angle that drives questions (identity, hidden careers, cultural impact, controversies, creative influences).

• Prompt students to write a 200–300 word pitch that includes: subject, angle, three research questions, and at least two potential sources (primary or secondary).
• Deliverable: approved pitch and source list.

2. Research plan and sourcing (2 weeks)

Emphasize triangulation: combine primary sources, contemporaneous media, and reputable secondary analysis.

• Primary source examples: letters, archival documents (e.g., British National Archives), recorded interviews, newspapers, official reports.
• Secondary sources: scholarly articles, reputable journalism (note: cite outlets), biographies, and documentary podcasts (use them as models, not authoritative evidence).
• Teach an adapted CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) and require a short source evaluation for each source used.

3. Interview prep and ethics (1 week prep; interviews in week 4)

Interviews are the heartbeat of many podcasts. Train students in both technique and responsibility.

Interview techniques

• Prepare open‑ended questions that invite narrative, not yes/no answers.
• Start with rapport builders (background, easy memory), then move to the meat (events, motivations), and finish with reflective prompts.
• Use active listening, follow‑ups, and silence.
• Record backup audio and always get verbal and written consent. For minors, secure guardian consent.

Sample question bank (adapt to your figure)

• “Can you tell me about the first time you encountered [subject]’s work/legacy?”
• “What did you not know about [subject] that surprised you during your research?”
• “How did [subject]’s public persona differ from their private life?”
• “If you could correct one myth about [subject], what would it be?”

Ethical checklist

• Signed consent form for recording and publication.
• Clarity about how the audio will be used and where it will be hosted.
• Anonymity options for sensitive interviews.
• Disclosure if AI tools will be used for voice cloning or editing — get explicit permission.

4. Story architecture and scripting (1 week)

Teach students to map the episode like a short story: hook, context, conflict/tension, evidence (interviews/archives), synthesis, and a resonant ending.

• Use a 3‑act storyboard template: Act 1 (setup), Act 2 (investigation), Act 3 (resolution or unanswered questions).
• Script the nuts and bolts: host narration, interview clips, transitions, and credits. Keep narration concise — let interviews carry the evidence.
• Block quotes and sound cues: indicate where archival audio, music, and effects will appear.

5. Production and tools (week 4–5)

Recommended 2026 toolset (classroom budget aware):

• Recording: Zoom H4n or smartphone with external mic (e.g., Rode SmartLav+).
• Editing and transcription: Descript (2025–26 updates improved collaborative editing), Audacity (free), or Adobe Podcast for advanced classes.
• Transcription: Use automated transcripts (Otter/Descript), then require human proofreading for accuracy and quotation fidelity.
• Sound design: Use royalty‑free music (Creative Commons with attribution) or school‑purchased library; teach students to log licenses. For modern sound workflows and low‑latency design, introduce students to the edge AV stack concepts selectively.

Important 2026 compliance note: post‑2025 platform policies restrict unconsented voice cloning — never synthesize a person’s voice without documented consent and explicit labeling in the episode notes.

6. Citation, transcript, and archival transparency

Require an annotated bibliography (500–800 words) and a verified transcript. The bibliography should list all sources with short justifications and archive references (box/folder numbers where applicable).

• Teach citation formats for audio (APA, MLA, Chicago) and require timestamps for quoted interview segments.
• When using audio from other podcasts (e.g., clips from professional series used as examples), teach fair use and obtain permissions where necessary.

7. Peer review, revision, and reflection (week 6)

Set up small peer review groups that evaluate episodes against the rubric. Require a final reflection (300–500 words) describing research choices, what was learned, and an ethics self‑audit.

Sample 6‑week timeline (classroom ready)

1. Week 1: Pitch and angle approval.
2. Week 2–3: Research & primary source gathering; source evaluations due.
3. Week 4: Conduct interviews and collect audio; first draft transcript produced.
4. Week 5: Editing, sound design, and annotated bibliography drafting.
5. Week 6: Peer review, revisions, final submission + reflective statement.

Rubric: Podcast Research Assignment (100 points)

Use this rubric directly in your LMS. Each category includes descriptors for Exemplary (A), Proficient (B), Developing (C), and Needs Improvement (D/F).

Rubric scoring notes

• Encourage narrative feedback in each category — emphasize what improved and what next steps are.
• Allow resubmission on the technical element after initial grading to encourage iterative learning.

Practical tips and troubleshooting

Getting credible primary sources quickly

• Use national and digital archives (British National Archives, Library of Congress digitized newspapers), university special collections, and trusted newspaper archives (e.g., The Times, New York Times) for contemporaneous reporting.
• Contact local historical societies or experts for oral histories — offer interview benefits (e.g., donated copy of final project).

Managing AI tools ethically (2026 guidance)

• Use AI for draft transcripts and noise reduction but require human verification.
• Don’t use voice cloning for interview subjects without explicit, recorded consent and a documented educational purpose; label any synthetic audio in episode notes.
• Teach students to keep an audit trail of AI tool outputs and edits for transparency.

Remote interviews and technical fallbacks

• Record locally on each end when possible; request separate audio tracks. For guidance on compact mobile setups, see field and streaming rig reviews.
• If connection drops, have students email a short follow‑up with key answers and ask permission to read back quotes on tape.

Using The Secret World of Roald Dahl as a teaching case

The series offers multiple teachable moments: choosing an uncovering angle, mixing archival evidence with interviews, and the responsibilities around depicting a public figure’s private history. Use short clips (with permission if required) to analyze how the host frames evidence, builds suspense, and cites sources. Ask students to annotate a 3‑minute clip: identify the claim, the evidence, and any unstated assumptions.

Assessment alignment & standards

This assignment maps to common competencies: research literacy, oral communication, digital media production, and ethical reasoning. It’s adaptable to AP, IB, or university-level research standards by raising expectations for citation rigor and the complexity of sources.

Example assignment prompt (copyable)

Produce a 10–15 minute podcast episode that investigates a historical or literary figure through a focused research question. Use at least two primary sources and three secondary sources, conduct at least one interview, and submit an annotated bibliography plus a transcript. Cite sources using [chosen citation style]. Show documentation of consent for interviews and list all music licenses. Projects will be graded with the provided rubric.

Final checklist for students (submission package)

• Final audio file (MP3/M4A) — consider reliable storage options like edge storage for large collections.
• Complete transcript (timestamped)
• Annotated bibliography (500–800 words)
• Signed consent forms
• Reflection statement (300–500 words)

Advanced & future‑facing strategies (for honors or media classes)

• Encourage cross‑disciplinary partnerships (history students working with media students).
• Introduce data journalism methods: analyze publication metadata or correspondence networks to bolster claims.
• Offer micro‑credentials for audio production skills (sound editing badge) aligned to rubric competencies.

Final notes on pedagogy and trust

Podcast assignments teach more than content; they build research intuition, ethical judgment, and narrative clarity. The Roald Dahl doc series shows how a single angle and disciplined sourcing produce a potent public narrative. As educators in 2026, your role is to scaffold students to reach that standard while protecting interview subjects and being transparent about tools used.

Call to action

Ready to convert your next research unit into a high‑impact podcast assignment? Download and adapt the rubric, timeline, and consent templates for your class. If you’d like a printable pack adapted to middle, high school, or undergraduate levels, request one through our resources page — and try using a short segment from The Secret World of Roald Dahl as a classroom analysis exercise to model professional sourcing and storytelling.

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