Live Morning Announcements: How Students Can Learn About Video Production

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As adults, many of us are checking news feeds daily that inform us about our immediate world. Students do much the same through live morning announcements from their school each day. As it turns out, students don’t just hear the announcements, they are also either a witness to or a participant in important lessons about live video production. Afterall, some of the most valuable school lessons are found outside the covers of a textbook via hands on, real time experiences.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Live Morning Announcements

More primary and secondary schools are turning to modern technology for live morning announcements to inform faculty and students about current events. Gone are the days of listening to the school announcements over a crackling and outdated public address system. Now, the live version is engaging students at much higher rates by using audio and visual techniques to captivate and educate audiences. Some headliners typically included are:

• A morning greeting
• Pledge of allegiance
• News about important school events
• Word or thought of the day
• Special recognition of faculty and students for academic and extracurricular achievements
• Guest appearances

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Benefits of Live Morning Announcements to Faculty and Students

Live morning announcements may be a media vehicle to reach faculty and students, but it is more than just an effective way to reach the masses with news regarding school events and happenings. Additional benefits that can come with this daily and visually enhanced form of communication include:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]

Setting the tone for the day.

As students arrive at school each day, school announcements can help them leave behind the worries and responsibilities of life outside of school and focus on establishing a positive tone for the day.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]

Offering motivation.

It is all too easy to tune out a disembodied droning voice talking over a PA system, but adding in a visual component and the involvement of students’ peers in the production, it can increase motivation to engage with this medium.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]

Prerecording some segments.

Have a guest that can’t make it for live morning announcements at 8 a.m.? No problem. It is possible to prerecord some segments of the announcement as needed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]

Acting as a unifying tool.

With hundreds of students with a variety of interests, a morning message that engages the masses can be a fun and creative way to get everyone on the same page at the start of the day.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1625773539833{padding-right: 60px !important;padding-left: 60px !important;}"]

Involving students in the art and science of live video production.

Many schools are focusing on developing a strong STEM curriculum, and morning announcements can be an exciting way to help students learn about the science involved in live video production.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Benefits of Learning About Live Video Production Via Morning Announcements

As the world becomes increasingly technology based, it is essential that students are prepared and offered hands on experiences to help them succeed. Live video production of morning announcements can be an effective way to help students learn how to:

• Create graphics
• Design layouts
• Edit video footage
• Learn audio-visual technology
• Tap into creative communications
• Use recording software and hardware
• Take ownership of a project

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Important Considerations Before Beginning

Innovative technology is integral for school communications, but there are important considerations to take into account before launching live morning announcements:

• How it will work. It is important to work with a reputable AV integrator to inventory the audio-visual and streaming equipment the school may already have on hand. Are there display screens in every classroom and around the interior of the school? Do you have IT on site or is it better to adopt a user-friendly system that does not require much upkeep past the initial installation and set up?
• Privacy and safety. Predetermine if your video production will air on a closed circuit within the school or will go to a more public medium for streaming. Approach public viewing with caution as it may be accessed by individuals outside the school network, which may create privacy and safety issues.
• Pricing. The goal is to provide students with a unique video production learning opportunity without breaking the bank. Schools can find it beneficial on this point particularly to work with a professional AV integrator to recommend hardware and software that is functional and high quality while still being budget-friendly.

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What You Need to Get Started

Once you have given thought to the above considerations, it is time to start building your morning announcement audio-visual studio piece by piece. Not all schools will have the same technology budget, so it is key to purchase only what you need. Some things you will need to get started include:

• Makeshift studio. This does not have to be a room dedicated to announcement broadcasts. Many schools make their video headquarters a classroom, office, or corner of the library. To enhance creativity, a greenscreen can be helpful. This allows students to get creative with image design.
• Camera. The camera used should feature high-definition video capabilities and work with either a tripod, computer, or webcam. Depending on the school’s budget, it may be best to also purchase a camera that is portable for gathering footage outside the studio.
• Microphone. While it is true that some cameras feature microphone capabilities, it can enhance the news feel of morning announcements if anchors and guests utilize a handheld or headset-based microphone. This may also help eliminate unwanted background noise.
• Lighting. Like sound, many cameras also automatically optimize lighting. Even with these capabilities it is often necessary to have additional light sources so the set does not get lost in the shadows.
• Audio-Visual Solution. To bring the scene, camera, microphone, and lighting all together and create a live morning announcement viewable to the entire campus, the last key piece of audio-visual equipment needed is a video encoder, which assists with streaming.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Whether your school is starting live morning announcements for the first time or is interested in an upgrade, get started today and enhance your STEM curriculum with live video production education.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]