Preparation: Hillside Beatbox radio station
Teacher preparation
It is vital that all software and hardware has been tested beforehand. Mr Noble always ensures that, when recording audio, the MP3 player has been set to record at 44100 Hz. The most important preparation at Hillside is training staff to use the technology and to consider its benefits.
Unlike most Radiowaves stations, teaching staff have overall control over sending stories to the publisher. INSET training was provided from commencement of the contract, with the station being regularly placed on the agenda of the weekly meeting.
Much ongoing, informal support is necessary, particularly in encouraging staff and pupils to recognise opportunities to produce work for the station, and in reminding teachers of their editor password!
There are few technical issues; therefore stories, audio and photography can be uploaded easily. Only a few steps are involved: text is entered in text boxes, browse buttons are used to search the PC for files to be uploaded, and drop-down menus are used to place the story under the correct category.