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Creativity, Enthusiasm and Parental Engagement with School Radio
Last year the children of Ashover Primary School in Derbyshire, who had been recording podcasts to DVD and playing them in the hall during lunch times, suggested that a real radio station would allow them to produce a better programme and of course it would be live! Not knowing much about Radio, Sharon Hallsworth, ICT co-ordinator I asked a question on the ICT Register “Ask the Schools “ facility seeking other people’s knowledge and experiences. She had a really good response, but quickly realised that there was not one clear solution out there, there were simply many different options.
She whittled down the options and accepted an approach by a company called Fusion who came out to school and discussed their studio based system. Having studied the system and the many photographs and testimonials from other schools, the school decided to go ahead.
The studio was based in their ICT suite with speakers broadcasting to each classroom, into the hall and out onto the playground. The radio runs through CAT5 wire and is very reliable. The studio even has its own ‘ON AIR’ sign! The installation was smooth, training of teachers and pupils clear and we were using it straight away. They now have live music at lunch and playtimes and wet breaks can also be more fun. The children use audacity to record their broadcasts which can be played again and again. The children read out newsletters into the playground as parents collect them and announce information which keeps them informed. We have a rota for running the radio which is completely done by pupils.
One of the most amazing things is to see how organised and responsible children can become when they are given a bit of responsibility and a fantastic technological tool. They have children broadcasting information, telling jokes, reading stories and introducing songs who would not normally put their hand up in class! The children have created a book of radio ideas and they have all sorts of powerful suggestions. Many parents have commented on the enthusiasm of their child about the radio station and they enjoy the announcements and music while waiting to collect their child. Everyone loves it and the school community is only just beginning to understand the impact it can have on children’s learning and love of school.
If you have an ICT development you want to start but need a little help don’t forget “Ask the Schools” on the ICT Register www.ict-register.net . ICT Register schools are happy to help.