[cma-l] WORD FM: Radio To Live By

[Thompson, Steve]

Hello All,

I have been facilitating a project for Creative Partnerships in Holy Cross School on Tyneside. They wanted an Internet Radio project. My past experience with Schools Podcasts is that they tend to peter out through lack of staff time and interest. So, with this in mind I proposed a "Podcast RSL". Just four programmes in a week of broadcasting in good old RSL style. This can't fail (can it?) because it is designed to come to an end. Over the past couple of months the children have worked with musician Phil Caffrey on songs for the broadcasts and with myself on programme production. I've also facilitated staff and provided support materials.

The idea is simple: the school has a programme of  "Statements to Live By" and so 4 statements have been chosen to become the theme of each show with songs and interviews on that theme.

So: on Monday 15th March there will be a pilot program at 2pm on www.wordfm.co.uk There will be four more shows each going out at 2pm throughtout the rest of the week:

Tuesday: "I listen to what you say, I show that I am listening to you.
Wednesday: "I cooperate with others in work and play"
Thursday:  "I try to use words to make the world a better place"
Friday: "I try to appreciate the world around me"

Please log on and leave a comment to encourage the kids. They've done really well and taken a journey that we all agree has seen them grow in confidence. Some of the children said they would be sorry to see the project end and would love to do more. They may well do just that perhaps at the end of their year. I also suggested that there were community radio projects that would love to have them particpating when they leave school. Broadcasters of tomorrow!

On a technical note, I've kept it really simple and free. Wordress with the Blurberry Plugin and Good ol' Audacity

Steve Thompson
Community Media Manager
Institute of Digital Innovation
Teesside University
M -  07795 826953
E -  s.d.thompson at tees.ac.uk
W - www.steve-thompson.org.uk