Activity

School of the Air

Key Learning

Students will learn about theSchool of the Air and then plan and deliver presentations incorporating multimodal elements.

The Australian Curriculum > English / Literacy / Interacting with others
Content description / General capabilities
Literacy
Personal and social capability
Information and communication technology capability
Critical and creative thinking
Plan, rehearse and deliver presentations for defined audiences and purposes incorporating accurate and sequenced content and multimodal elements.CodeACELY1700
Elaboration
  • planning a report on a topic, sequencing ideas logically and providing supporting detail, including graphics, sound and visuals to enhance audience engagement and understanding.

Focus Questions

  1. Briefly summarise the School of the Air BtN story.
  2. Why do kids go to the School of the Air?
  3. How long has the School of the Air been around for in Australia?
  4. When the School of the Air first started students communicated using pedal-powered radios. True or false?
  5. What types of technology do School of the Air students use these days to communicate with their teachers and other students?
  6. What do you think would be some of the challenges for kids that go to the School of the Air?
  7. List some of the similarities and differences between the School of the Air and your school.
  8. How often do School of the Air students get to see their school mates face to face?
  9. What was surprising about this story?
  10. Send a message to the School of the Airstudents on the Behind the News Guestbook.

Activity

Discuss the School of the AirBtN story with students focussing the discussion on how the School of the Air compares to their school. Here are some discussion starters:

  • What’s a day in your life like?
  • How do you get to school?
  • How do you communicate with your teachers and other students?
  • What’s unique about your school?
  • What are the pros and cons of the School of the Air? Imagine what it’s like for children living in isolated and remote communities.

Snapshot of your school

Working in small groups, students will be creating a profile of their school. This activity will enable students to identify and engage with their environment and school community, share and collaborate with other students and promote the uniqueness of their school.

In small groups, students will need to consider the following:

  • What aspects of your school make it unique or interesting (consider factors such as cultural diversity, special programs, sporting achievements)?
  • Who is part of your school community?
  • What does your school value and how is it reflected?
  • What is special about the history of your school?

Negotiate with students ways they can publish their profile, for example, web page, video or animation. Consider including the profiles in the school’s official website. Students will need to consider how they communicate their story to enhance audience engagement and understanding. Here are some ideas:

  • Storyboard –create a story board, illustrating a ‘day in the life’ at your school using drawings and photos. Students can make a poster of their story board or use Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Artwork – create a collage that reflects the uniqueness and diversity of your school. For example multiculturalism, sporting achievements or a special program.
  • Video– make a 2 minute video reflecting ‘a day in the life’ at your school. UsingMicrosoft Movie Makercompile video, photos, music and voiceover (a commentary which explains your day).

Further investigation

Design an‘Our place story map’. The story map provides opportunities for teachers and students to investigate the stories of others around Australia.

 Related Research Links

ABC Open – ABC Open... of the air!


ABC Open – Stories from the Heart of Australia

Australian Government – The School of the Air and remote learning

Port Hedland School of the Air


Questacon – School of the Air

©ABC 2012