Topic outline

  • Voice of the Yarra Valley

      Time: 3 weeks (per episode)

      Level: 7-10

      Key Learning Areas: Any

      Skills required: Medium IT skills

  • Student Radio

    RadioAre you interested in having a voice in the world wide, online community.If you have something to say then this might be the way to be heard. A new way of presenting your understanding to a wider audience.

    You will need to use your skills in:

    • writing
    • researching
    • presenting

     

    What type of program could you produce?

    Voice of the Yarra Valley is a way of getting your message to the wider community, even to the world. you should concentrate on a topic you are passionate about. Why not discuss the latest AFL round, or how about this week's episode of "The Walking Dead". Your program could include interviews with other students or even a Skype interview with someone from the other side of the planet. You could review the latest album from Daft Punk or even present your own original composition. Programs will be pre-recorded and available 24/7 from our web site.

    When you have an idea for a program talk to your teacher mentor so they can discuss the details with you.

    • Broadcasting Rules

      We have some simple but important RADIO rules that govern our ability to broadcast as a school. Please make sure you read them and understand them.

      • Respectful - all content must be respectful of others.

        Acceptable - all programs must use acceptable language.

        Delayed - all broadcasts are pre-recorded. No live broadcasts are possible.

        Identified - all content must be original or copyright holders clearly identified.

        Organised - all content must be well organised, well presented and checked by your mentoring teacher.

    • How to . . .

      How do I make a radio program for broadcasting on the internet? Well, you need a couple of things:

      • computer (an iPad, netbook or desktop)
      • recording software (GarageBand, Audacity)
      • a microphone (an external mic plugged in is far better than the inbuilt microphone. If you haven't got access to one let us know)
      • a script (yes, this is vital for a good broadcast)
        1. Find ideas on what you want your program to be about
          1. You can play music but for a school radio program you should also be talking about the music and artist - why they are worth listening to, the background to the musical number, etc.
          2. Any music or other copyrighted material must be acknowledged by giving the title of the piece, the writer, the performer and the music label.
          3. Try to keep your program short. 5 - 10 minutes is ideal to begin with.
          4. Aim for one new program every 1 to 2 weeks.
        2. Keep in contact with your mentor. They will listen to your broadcast before it goes to air
        3. Write your script. Have your mentor check it over.
        4. Rehearse the show. Now rehearse it again. Practice parts that you stumble over. Rewrite those parts if necessary.
        5. Record the show. Find a quiet place to record it.
        6. Edit the show. You can cut out mistakes rather than starting again each time.
        7. Give a copy of your show to your mentor to check.
        8. When your mentor approves your show it can be sent to the Yarra Hills Radio site for uploading.

      • Ideas for shows

        Need some help thinking of something to base your show on? Try these ideas:

        • Sports roundup - discuss the weekend sports results.
        • School news - a weekly show highlighting the camps, excursions, sports results, etc of the school.
        • Music highlight - play one song and then have a discussion on its good and bad points.
        • Food for thought - a weekly or fortnightly show featuring a new recipe each time.

        • Audacity

          A free program for both Windows and Mac machines. This is a very powerful yet very easy program to use to record and edit audio.

          Download Audacity

          • Assessment

            CATEGORY

            8

            6

            4

            2

            Organisation

            Extremely well organized; logical format that was easy to follow; flowed smoothly from one idea to another and cleverly conveyed; the organization enhanced the effectiveness of the project

            Presented in a thoughtful manner; there were signs of organization and most transitions were easy to follow, but at times ideas were unclear

            Somewhat organized; ideas were not presented coherently and transitions were not always smooth, which at times distracted the audience

            Choppy and confusing; format was difficult to follow; transitions of ideas were abrupt and seriously distracted the audience

            Speaks Clearly

            Speaks clearly and distinctly all of the time and mispronounces no words.

            Speaks clearly and distinctly all of the time but mispronounces 1 or more words.

            Speaks clearly and distinctly most of the time and mispronounces no words.

            Does NOT speak clearly and distinctly most of the time AND/OR mispronounces more than 1 word.

            Point of View--Purpose

            Broadcast establishes a purpose at the beginning and maintains that focus throughout!

            Establishes a purpose at the beginning, but occasionally wanders from that focus.ly

            The purpose is somewhat clear but many aspects of the broadcast seem only slightly related.

            It was difficult to figure out the purpose of the broadcast.

            Content-Accuracy

            All content throughout the broadcast is accurate. There are no factual errors.

            Most of the content is accurate but there is one piece of information that might be inaccurate.

            The content is generally accurate, but one piece of information is clearly flawed or inaccurate.

            Content is typically confusing or contains more than one factual error.

            Content-Clarity

            All content is clear and informative.

            Most (99-90%) of the content is clear and informative.

            Much (89-75%) of the content is clear and informative.

            Fewer than 75% of the content is clear and informative.

            Originality

            Broadcast shows considerable originality and inventiveness. The content and ideas are presented in a unique and interesting way.

            Broadcast shows some originality and inventiveness. The content and ideas are presented in an interesting way.

            Broadcast shows an attempt at originality and inventiveness on 1-2 cards.

            Broadcast is a rehash of other people's ideas and/or graphics and shows very little attempt at original thought.

            Effectiveness

            Broadcast includes all material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the topic. It is a highly effective presentation.

            Broadcast includes most material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the material but is lacking one or two key elements. It is an adequate presentation.

            Broadcast is missing more than two key elements. It would make an incomplete presentation.

            Broadcast is lacking several key elements and has inaccuracies that make it a poor presentation

            Research

            Went above and beyond to research information; solicited material in addition to what was provided; brought in personal ideas and information to enhance project; and utilized more than eight types of resources to make project effective

            Did a very good job of researching; utilized materials provided to their full potential; solicited more than six types of research to enhance project; at times took the initiative to find information outside of school

            Used the material provided in an acceptable manner, but did not consult any additional resources

            Did not utilize resources effectively; did little or no fact gathering on the topic