EDU Portal
How Salem-Keizer Schools Rebuilt Student Voice with Soundtrap
September 3, 2025
As Soundtrap for Education celebrates 10 years of amplifying student voice, we spotlight Ken Freeman, a teacher who rebuilt learning through podcasting projects.
Introduction: Rebuilding Student Engagement Post-Pandemic
In 2020, Ken Freeman walked into his classroom at Salem-Keizer Public Schools with no textbooks, no Mac labs, and students carrying only Chromebooks. After quarantine, his 14- and 15-year-olds barely knew how to connect with each other.
“They didn’t even know how to talk to each other,” Ken recalls.
What he found in Soundtrap would solve his tech challenges and help students rediscover their voices.
The Challenge: Chromebooks, Budgets, and Outdated Tools
As Oregon’s second-largest district, Salem-Keizer faced tight budgets. Ken needed a DAW that worked on Chromebooks without complex installs. Tools like GarageBand and Audacity weren’t an option.
The bigger challenge? Students returned disengaged, struggling with reading and writing. Traditional tests no longer showed what they knew.
“I needed something compatible with our secure network, easy to use, and—most of all—something that tapped their ability to express themselves verbally,” Ken explains.
The Turning Point: A Browser-Based DAW That Works in Schools
Ken chose Soundtrap. It ran smoothly on Chromebooks, offered real-time collaboration, and included templates to get students creating quickly.
Auto-save prevented lost work. Transcription tools supported struggling writers. Collaboration rebuilt social connections.
“The setup let students just plug in and create,” Ken says. “They got a good product right away.”
For anyone new to DAWs, the Beginner’s Guide is a quick on-ramp.
And if you’d rather not design projects from scratch, the Top 7 Podcasting Curriculum for 2025 includes ready-to-go units.
Beyond Music: Cross-Curricular Audio Projects that Drive Equity
Podcasting projects spread across subjects. History midterms became podcasts. English teachers used transcription to build writing skills. World language students recorded readings and interviews.
Ken reminded students: “The process to build a podcast looks like building an essay—but you’ll use your voice, not your pencil.”
These cross-curricular audio projects built literacy, critical thinking, and communication while ensuring every student could contribute.
More examples of podcasting beyond music: Cross-Curricular Podcasting Amplify Students.
Student Stories: Authentic Voice and SEL Through Podcasting
Ken recalled a memorable project when two students created a two-part podcast about nearly getting arrested. Using collaboration features, they recorded separately and reacted to each other’s perspectives.
“It showed trust,” Ken says. “They shared things they wouldn’t tell parents. That’s what creates real learning.”
Podcasting became a tool for student authenticity and honest conversations.
Brooklyn teachers share a similar journey in Podcasting Amplifies Brooklyn School Students.
Authentic Assessment with Podcasts: A New Way to Measure Learning
Replacing essays with podcasting projects revealed thinking traditional assessments missed. Students refined ideas through speech and transcription.
Ken’s rubrics focused on structure, sources, and production. Peer reviews built listening skills.
“I listen to their podcasts on my bike rides,” Ken says. “They basically grade themselves.”
For templates, LAUSD’s Rubric Resources are an easy place to start.
Want a project you can try tomorrow? Here’s a Podcast Lesson Plan.
The Engagement Factor: Why Students Skip To Podcasting Class
Ken’s classroom became the place students skip to.
“If you’re in this class, you’re at the center of your social group because you’ve got tools to share what’s on your mind,” Ken explains.
At times, demand was so high he set up extra workstations in hallways and the cafeteria. Student engagement rivaled electives like auto shop.
This piece explains why the right tech flips disengagement into motivation: Music Technology Has Leveled the Playing Field.
Career Readiness: Audio Skills for CTE Pathways
Students also earned industry-recognized credentials in audio production. Projects included interviewing peers about attendance, building narratives with professional editing skills—on little more than a Chromebook and headset.
This prepared students not just for class, but for careers in media and CTE pathways.
District leaders often connect the dots through CTE: Arts, Media, and Entertainment.
District Impact: Scalable, Equitable, and Cost-Effective
Soundtrap scaled from one classroom to multiple schools. With pricing around $3–5 per student, the district could offer equitable access without new hardware.
“For a low cost with the tech we already had, we created professional-caliber work,” Ken says.
Looking Forward: 10 Years of Amplifying Student Voice
Ken’s story shows Soundtrap’s mission in action: amplifying student voice across subjects. What began as a tech fix became a way to rebuild trust, community, and academic success.
“Soundtrap gave them their voice back,” Ken reflects.
Students now manage projects, collaborate, and share authentic stories that build confidence and career readiness.
Here’s another example of Soundtrap’s impact on student lives: How One Music Teacher Went from Zero Experience to Transforming Student Lives.
Key Takeaways for Educators
- Equity & Access: Works on Chromebooks; no new hardware.
- Cross-Curricular Applications: Podcasting projects strengthen literacy, STEM, and social studies.
- Authentic Assessment: Reveals student thinking in new modalities.
- Student Engagement: Tools for student voice spark attendance and participation.
- Career Readiness: Real audio skills tied to CTE pathways.
- Budget Fit: Districts scale affordably at $3–5 per student.
The Gift of Student Voice
Ken’s classroom proves that when students have authentic ways to express themselves, engagement follows.
Quiet learners become confident. Reluctant writers demonstrate mastery. And districts see how creativity connects directly to standards and readiness goals.
Most importantly: students learn their voices matter.
Ready to amplify student voice in your district? Start with the Teacher Resources or Request a Demo.
