If you ask 10 different broadcast teachers what essentials do you need to start a program, you may get 10 different responses. It really may depend on the politics of your district, the financial stability, or countless other factors.
I have been teaching broadcast journalism now for more than seven years. And when I took over my classes, I wanted to take to make my “classes” a program. We wanted to build a broadcasting team.
I have spoken about this topic numerous times all over the country. In simple terms, here are my 10 essentials to starting a broadcast program.
- Set expectations
- Brand an image
- Publish your students’ work online and in your local TV market
- Work with your students on some projects
- Master one skill at a time
- Be deadline driven
- Find worthy organizations & local television stations/production companies to partner with
- Create student leaders
- Positively promote the people, programs and activities in your school and community
- Don’t gauge success by winning or losing contests. Facilitate opportunities!
Now all of these 10 essentials mean nothing with possibly the biggest essential not listed: administrative support! But, I believe that if you and your students consistently show the value of your program, you will receive the financial and moral support needed to be successful. This has been true for my program.
To hear me personally speak about these 10 essentials, click here for a professional development seminar I conducted for the Media Educators of America (formerly known as the Video Educators of New England.)
Here is also a great presentation from one of the best in the business, Michael Hernandez. I’m in awe of what he and his kids at the Mustang Morning News are able to accomplish.
Written By: Don Goble
