The innovative use of Music Technology at Arc Oakbridge School is helping students not only gain impressive skills, but helping them fall back in love with learning. Headteacher Jilly McCarrick tells us more:
“As a school we have long embraced technology and the really important role it plays in supporting children to engage with learning. That’s recently been seen with our hugely successfully podcast project which saw two young people develop, produce and host a podcast.
“Through that project they didn’t just learn impressive skills they can take forward in their further education and careers, it boosted their confidence and has inspired other students too.
“The project was led by two young people who previously struggled with social and communication difficulties. The impact on their self-esteem – and the whole school - has been phenomenal.
“As part of their course work – Managing a Music Project - they created ‘Kedleston’s 18th Poddy’, a podcast which brought the school together, and showcased everyone’s talents.
“It was not a simple process, but one they approached professionally and thoroughly. They developed surveys to draw out people’s talents and how they wanted to get involved. They researched and went out to buy required equipment and then tested it. They made appointments for people, scheduled the day and developed promotional materials including posters and fliers.
“They worked together to decide on the theme, schedule and content. They set up the equipment. And, not ones to shy from a challenge, they decided to include elements of live performance in their podcast and set up the ‘tech’ needed including sound engineering. They also tidied up afterwards!
“One young man, who experiences social and communication difficulties, acted as ‘compere’ for the live performance and was entertaining, funny and informative. Both also performed live raps, a huge achievement.
“The podcast included well-thought out interviews conducted in a professional and engaging way. It included individual performances from pupils and teachers. The tone they created was friendly, approachable and everyone was very at ease – not easy skills to acquire or standards to achieve.
“They were assisted by Dhonte Smith, one of the school’s Teaching Assistants (soon to be trainee teacher), who has been instrumental (no pun intended) in delivering music technology lessons and developing the school’s offer.
“The change in these young people was amazing. It has also set chain reactions. Other pupils have come forward to share their ideas and want to try new things – because they have seen these boys succeed.
Importantly, they have learned resilience and not to give up when things go wrong. A glitch meant sound issues occurred when the files were transferred. But they critiqued their own work, knew how they could improve it and salvage their project. They embraced problem solving and got on with the job.
“The impact of this innovation has been phenomenal in many ways. It helped the pupils enhance their cultural capital and has shown that they have the skills needed for a media career. It has helped them feel more confident; confident that they can plan and execute a complex project successfully, confident they can work as part of a team and that the things that interest them – and they excel at – can be career choices for their future. Both boys have gained places at college to study IT – and the success of this project undoubtedly helped them achieve their goals.”