Broadcasting in your school

Broadcasting
There are many ways to broadcast with SYNERGY. The most popular method is to record and save your favourite shows, then share them by using the schools network or copy them to a removable disk.  Pre-recorded shows help to reduce network bandwidth and keep storage under control as all the recordings are stored on SYNERGY’s own hard disk as an MP3 file.

Speakers
Speakers located in social areas are a great way for students and teachers to listen to the schools radio station.  In many cases, Plasma screens, interactive white boards and projectors (with speakers) can all be used to listen to SYNERGY during break and lunch times and are commonly found in classroom, canteen, hall and reception areas.

Going live on the schools Intranet  
Both pre-recorded and live shows can be streamed via a schools network.  Any computer connected to that network which can access a fixed IP/URL address can listen into the radio show Live!

Pod-cast Website
SYNERGY comes complete with a FREE dedicated Pod-cast website to host your schools favorite pod-casts.  Simply upload your recorded show to your very own SYNERGY web page and share your content over the internet with everyone!

FM or AM licenses  
Once your school is confident with using SYNERGY and feels like taking things to the next level, broadcasting outside of the school using an FM license is the ultimate goal.
Restricted Service Licenses (RSL) are available for short-term broadcasts, 1-28 days. An RSL License can be obtained from OFCOM (the government regulator) and typically covers a geographical area of 3-7Km.  RSL projects are a great way of engaging the local community, Businesses, Local Authorities and Local Services.

SYNERGY can be applied as a creative method of teaching curricular subjects to inspire pupils and appeal to a wide variety of learning styles. The radio station gives pupils the opportunity to express themselves orally or to bring new life to subjects.  The results can then be captured for submission or portfolio work for subjects including:

Art and Design                                           Citizenship
English                                                      Geography
History                                                      Information Communication Technology
Modern Foreign Languages                          Music
Personal, Social and Health Education            Religious Education
Science

Project
There are various applications a SYNERGY school radio project can have depending on each individual school and it’s remits.  Some examples of projects that schools have used SYNERGY radio broadcasting for include:

Disengaged Learners                         XL Groups
Enterprise                                       Citizenship
Gifted and Talented Projects             Drama
Learning for Work and Life                Critical and Creative Thinking
English                                           Personalised Learning
Promoting Religious Tolerance           Media Studies
Interviewing Local VIPs                     Music Technology/Sound Engineering
Raising School Profile                        School Bulletins
Lunch Time and Breakfast Clubs         Current Affairs Shows
Developing Political Awareness           Collaborative Working
Internet Radio                                 Intranet Radio
Transition Year Projects                    Community Links
   
Communication accross the School

Radio is a medium that is extremely versatile. It lends itself superbly to the creative mind. This allows any student to develop creative ideas. SYNERGY radio has such a strong human element it literally grabs the attention of all and everyone. Students immediately picture themselves as a DJ, producer, journalist extraordinaire, marketing guru and many other fascinating careers. The students feel free to express themselves as much as they want knowing a community are listening to them alone and to their thoughts and they feel a great buzz from this.
Speaking and listening plays such a vital role in our everyday lives. Students like the attention that radio gives to these essential skills. This then facilitates teachers of all subjects to help students improve their literacy skills.

Qualifications  

SYNERGY provides real professional support to numerous schools, colleges, universities and community media schemes. These organisations offer relevant full-time, part-time and short courses including:
•    ABC Level 3 Awards in Talk Radio Broadcast Skills and Radio Production Skills
•    NCFE Level 1 and 2 Certificates and Diplomas in Radio Production
•    City & Guilds (7501) Diploma in Media Techniques
•    BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Media
•    BTEC HNDs, Foundation Degrees, degrees and postgraduate courses in radio or media production.
SYNERGY benefits all educational professionals in their delivery of radio broadcasting courses with expert trainers who have an intense interest in education.