At a time of economic uncertainty, purchasing decisions within the education sector, particularly those regarding expensive kit require greater consideration than ever before. Here, Greg Hodgson of Chalfonts Community College, discusses the school’s decision to purchase a radio studio, and explores the return on investment in terms of educational benefits and enhancing students’ overall learning journey.
Our decision to introduce a radio studio occurred because we were keen to engage and motivate our learners in an innovative and unique way, and develop cross-curricular links to support teaching and learning. Here at Chalfonts we regularly seek new techniques and resources to ensure delivery of a rich and varied learning experience, and we recognise that technology plays an important role in achieving this. Young people are now incredibly au fait with ICT as it increasingly becomes an inherent part of their daily lives. Radio broadcast equipment is recognised as a hugely positive way to enhance learning. Following research into the available options, we decided the most viable and effective solution for our needs was commercial broadcast equipment and software, since it is designed by broadcast engineers for radio professionals to operate. This therefore means that learners will gain a genuine experience of using radio equipment.
In the UK each national commercial radio station is bespoke, with equipment tailored to cater for the different objectives of each individual station as well as the expertise of the user. With regard to radio equipment within the education sector, the challenge can be that if it is not designed specifically for use within education it can be difficult to implement due to the expertise needed to train, support and sustain a school radio station. We soon recognised that providing radio equipment is intuitive and enables students to use it freely, there is extensive scope and opportunity.
The power of confidence
One of the key benefits of radio broadcast equipment is its ability to deliver transferable skills; so not only are you able to link effectively to different areas of the curriculum but it also encourages practical skills such as confidence to be gained.
Many young people enter the school feeling insecure and lack confidence in themselves and their abilities; the opportunity to be involved in a radio broadcast delivers significant scope in boosting their confidence. Through communicating with their peers to plan the delivery of a radio show and then presenting or helping with the technical element, confidence can be greatly improved. Speaking live on a radio show to the whole school for example, necessitates a high level of confidence. Utilising technology to instil a level of self-belief in young people is hugely valuable because establishing this early on in life enhances the chances of becoming a well-rounded and self-assured individual later on in life.
The potential of radio within the school
Since the implementation of our radio studio we have been able to utilise its potential in a number of positive and effective ways. For instance it has been instrumental in our Seven in Heaven programme, an initiative we have in place to nurture and support students as they transfer from year six to year seven. Adjusting to the change from primary school to secondary school can be a daunting and disruptive time in any child’s life, and in order to ensure this transition is as smooth as possible this programme is in place to make this possible. Through this, learners use the radio broadcast equipment to create a short podcast available from our website that deals with key concerns and issues raised year on year by new students. Bullying, getting lost and making friends are some of the items dealt with in this program made by year 7 students in consultation with year 6. It also offers the year leader a platform to welcome students coming into the college and demonstrates the tutor’s role in ensuring a safe and happy transition.
Radio’s future in learning
In terms of radio’s potential to enhance learning outcomes in the future the possibilities are vast. With regard to various ways that it can be used, the sky truly is the limit and it is difficult to find a subject that cannot be integrated somehow and taught via radio broadcast equipment. Radio provides a creative and fun way to inclusively engage learners in both learning and teaching whilst delivering practical and transferable skills.
Our acquisition of the Synergy School Radio system from Clyde Broadcast has been extremely positive for the school, particularly due to the infinite scope to further maximise its potential. Now an inherent part of daily life here, it enhances the outcomes both across the curriculum and beyond.
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