posted 26 September 2008 10:14 AM               

Last year 300 schools across the country took part in the BBC News School Report project and the majority went 'live' on the School Report day to produce news items for websites, local radio/tv and the ultimate prize – national tv. Although this was originally seen as a media project, the BBC has been persuaded that the link between the news and real, relevant and topical Geography is very clear – they want us on board.

The reports which were written after the first two years of the project have highlighted the obvious benefits to the pupils involved, the departments and the schools. As geographers, we are now in a position to share some of those benefits.

It was my argument that Geography teachers are very much in tune with the principles of the news project (ask questions, gather information, write story, broadcast story) that has persuaded them that we can begin to play a major part as the School Report project grows in the next few years. From my point of view, I firmly believe that we could really shine at this, producing quality geography through online news stories, podcasts and short videos. If we are successful, it will demonstrate to some very influential people at the BBC that Geography is not a stale subject revolving around the rote learning of facts and figures ( I showed them at the BBC a copy of the SLN discussion of the Bruce Parry quote – they went very quiet…and a note was made).

On the other hand, if we fail to take up the challenge, this will be a huge opportunity lost and it may take a long while to get the BBC interested again. So, what do we need to happen?

We need a substantial number of schools to sign up and agree to take part. If your school is already involved, you could join colleagues in your school. What would be better, however, would be for geography departments to be taking the lead and signing their schools up, giving the geography community a much higher profile in the BBC News School Report project.

Will it involve a lot of time? Not necessarily, if you incorporate it into your work with Y7, Y8 or Y9 (it has to be KS3 pupils). The minimum that you need to produce is a 'news item' that goes on to an accessible section of your school website that the BBC News team can link to. In order to try and attain the ultimate goal of having your pupils chosen to broadcast on regional radio/tv or even national radio/tv then you need to aim for a podcast or a video.

How many pupils need to be involved? It could be an after-school geography club, it could be a G&T group project, it could be a whole class or year group.

I realise that signing up to anything extra when you are already giving 150% is asking a lot but these sort of chances come up only rarely and I know that many of you are passionate, as I am, about the subject that you teach. With a little bit of thought, it could be done with minimal extra work and the benefits to your pupils, your school and the geography community should make it all worthwhile.

Further details, support videos and resources can be found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/default.stm

and the form to sign up for School Report 2008/2009 : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/contact_us/default.stm#register

If you are interested in taking part, check out the BBC website and drop me an e-mail so that I get some idea of the response.

There is a huge amount of teacher talent in the Geography community – let’s see it shine.

posted 26 September 2008 11:33 AM               

Yet the big challenge is to now take part, to show the BBC (and others) that we have got what it takes.The project is so much in the thos of new KS3 that it will tick lots of boxes.

It would be good to know here who is intending to register.

posted 26 September 2008 12:51 PM               

Will be signing up and getting this going as soon as possible (it's a very long train journey!).

posted 30 September 2008 05:21 PM               

If anyone is worried that it is all too much work, then aim for the lowest possible involvement - get a small group of pupils to create a 'news item' for the school website. This could be part of a lesson sequence already planned or part of the work of a geography club/G&T group.

posted 01 October 2008 05:39 PM               

well done Dave

sorry about the accidental posting under an alias - I had meant to post about something else and it was totally necessary to do it anonymously (but now i can't be bothered)

noel