OAR FM Dunedin’s newly appointed Schools Liaison Shannon Colbert is eager to engage young minds in a unique and creative learning experience.
Shannon brings a wealth of skills and experience to a project that will see her fostering opportunities for school groups to discover the benefits of making radio shows and podcasts. A trained teacher, former Fortune Theatre educator and current tutor for Interact’s after-school drama classes, she believes there is “incredible scope” to broaden the station’s relationships with schools.
“I love it when kids find something special in themselves that really comes alive with whatever they’re creating. Through their own radio shows and podcasts, they can combine creativity and expression in a valuable experience that is also heaps of fun.”
The scope for radio podcasts was “incredibly wide”, from one-off shows on study topics by primary school classes to small-group work with secondary school media studies students, which could be assessed against NCEA standards.
Shannon is currently working with a class at George Street Normal School as part of their STEAM project, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.
Working with radio was a perfect way for students to share and connect in this integrated way of learning, she said.
“It’s a great way for the students to focus their inquiry and critical thinking, as well boosting confidence, resilience and creativity. They can also proudly share their programmes with their schoolmates, friends, family and people all over the world.”
George Street teacher Zac Ford said STEAM was a perfect means of achieving “a growth mind-set”.
“The children create, make mistakes, evaluate, analyse and apply their new understanding all within a team work environment. Any chance to use new technology, such as radio podcasts, on top of an already engaging kinesthetic learning style will help our children remember their learning.”
OAR FM Schools Liaison Shannon Colbert can be contact via email at shannon@oar.org.nz or by calling the station on 471 6161. Listen to OAR FM’s 90-plus Dunedin-made shows on 105.4FM and 1575AM with podcasts available from oar.org.nz, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.