Journalism & Podcast

JOURNALISM 101: Audio and Print 

Description:
    • Looking to pick up a new skill and share your interests with the world? SpringLight’s Journalism 101  will teach students the basics of print and audio reporting. Students will receive feedback on their work and gain opportunities to publish their writing and podcasts online.
    • Students will practice:
      • News writing for print and broadcast
      • Interviewing and field recording
      • Scripting and story structure
      • Audio editing and mixing
  • Times/Dates:
    • Times/Dates:
      Session 1: June 16-July 9, Wednesdays* and Fridays, 4:30-6:00pm
      Session 2: July 14-August 6, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4:30-6:00pm
      *Wednesday class times in June are subject to change
      Tuition: $350 for 7 lessons, or $55/lesson
      Registration link https://forms.gle/ME4ARNK7ekGMTUQY8

Schedule

7 lessons, each lesson 1.5 hours.

NPR podcasting challenge class

Looking to pick up a new skill and share your interests with the world? SpringLight’s NPR podcasting challenge class will teach students the basics of audio reporting and help them submit an 8-minute (or shorter) podcast to the NPR student podcasting challenge.

Students will learn about:

  • Interviewing and field recording
  • Scripting and story structure
  • Audio editing and mixing

For more information about the competition, read below from NPR:

We know you have stories to tell and we at NPR are excited to listen. Tell us about your life, or something you're passionate about — like tater tots <https://www.npr.org/2019/06/08/729605772/eight-student-made-podcasts-that-made-us-smile>. You could investigate a hometown mystery, or write a radio drama and direct a dramatic reading with friends. We've heard all these and more in our first two years. The world is your oyster!

…This year, the basics are pretty much the same: Students will create a podcast about a topic they want to explore — and that can be just about anything.

There are some rules to keep in mind: Only students in grades 5-12 are eligible to enter, and a teacher, or after-school program coordinator, or parent or anyone over the age of 18 has to be the one to submit the podcast <http://npr.org/677502710>.

One big change this year: The maximum length of your podcast will be eight minutes. We've found, after listening to a lot of podcasts, that shorter is better. Plus that's how long we get to tell our stories at NPR!

NPR Student Podcasting ChallengeNPR Student Podcasting Challenge

About the Instructor

Ms. Katherine Simpson graduated Summa Cum Laude from Gordon College with a double degree in Political Science and English literature. Her writing has been published by NPR stations across the United States. Ms. Simpson’s research and writing includes reporting on Indianapolis’ city government and a thesis on Toni Morrison. She strives to imbue a curiosity ad empathy in her students. Whether she’s teaching Government, literature, or writing, she hopes that her students will not only grow as learners but as people. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and playing the harp.