Brief summary of activity
This is a first approach to the use of microphones and headphones when using a portable recorder or in the studio. It will expose the trainees to a ‘live’ recording situations as both, interviewee and interviewer.
Aim of the activity
- To experience one’s own voice
- To efficiently use one’s own voice as a tool
- To gain confidence with the microphone
Expected Outcomes
At the end of this activity, the learners would have experienced:
- Using speech as a communication toolUsing one’s own voice
- Speaking through microphone and headphones
- Elements of voice and speech
- The relationship between radio and its listeners
- The importance of voice for radio work
Additional information for Trainers
The handouts Speaking for Radio and Microphones can be used/distributed for this activity.
Experience and skills required
The trainer needs to have experience in the use of portable recorder and studio, to assist participants.
Infrastructure, setting, resources
Several rooms or a big room and studio might be necessary for the participants to record their interviews.
Length
One hour
Material
One microphone
One recording device with headphones
How the activity should take place
Each participant will be asked to tell another participant something about their favourite musician and the reasons for this preference. The task is to address this one person only. Everybody should do this activity on topics ranging from books, film, sport etc.
Each participant will be given the task to share with another participant his/her most notable event of the day using a microphone and headphones. Each participant will carry out this activity in succession. A feedback round and a discussion on the experiences will follow.
Recommended max. number of participants and trainees to trainers ratio
10 (1 to 4 for trainees with learning difficulties, 1 to 2 for visually impaired/blind participants)
Analysis and evaluation
Have the participants experienced the interviewee/interviewer role?
Have participants understand the situation of the interviewee (shyness, nervousness at the presence of portable recorder or studio equipment, etc ) and can they find ways to facilitate the interviewee?
Have they come to terms to the sound of their voice in radio?
Scheduling
As an Introduction to portable recorders or the studio