Category: Citizen Journalism

24th February 2007

Podminions – podcasts by King’s Norton Boys’ School

Podminions is the podcast of King’s Norton Boys’ School in Birmingham, UK. Here we will tell stories of the local community, the things we do in and out of school, argue about the issues that matter to us and share with you the music we write.

We set this up with a little help from the Birmingham Community Empowerment Network and another podcast called the Grassroots Channel. But what we say here is entirely our doing – so listen and then please tell us what you think.

You can download the episodes below:

Together We Can – 31 March 2006

The first podcast from the boys at King’s Norton Boys’ School. In this episode four boys attend a conference at the NEC aimed at promoting active citizens around the UK.

Sport: Year 8 vs Shenley Court – 17 May 2006

In this episode, we send three boys to a year 8 football match against Shenley Court.

Half the World – 24 June 2006

In this episode, we send two boys out on a trip with the GCSE Citizenship group to Chamberlain Square in Birmingham as part of Refugee Week. Also includes music from student Jack Newett called “Half the World”.

Summer Concert 2006 – 18 July 2006

In this episode we send Ruairi out with the recorder to find out what’s happening behind the scenes at our school summer concert.

Healthy foods – 25 September 2006

In this episode we visit Simpsons Restaurant in Edgbaston to promote healthy meals in schools.

Say Cheese! 28 October 2006

We had a photographer (Ian Reynolds of i4images. com) come into our school and take photos of students under the title “A Learning Community” this podcast asks students and teachers what their opinions of the photos were.

From Here to There series

Part 1 – 11 October 2006. We introduce a project we will be taking part in over the next few months called “From Here to There”.

Part 2 – 17 November 2006. We go to Manchester Exhibition Centre and give a talk on the project. If you haven’t listened to part 1 we suggest you do so or this won’t make any sense to you!

Part 3 – 24 February 2007. The podminions go to Lyon, France for a week.

15th February 2007

Birmingham’s Digital Citizens – a new podcast on the Grassroots Channel

bismarckandmillie fromnewtownnickbooth This programme was recorded by the people of Birmingham to tell us what they love about their neighbourhoods. We’d been offered some space in the marquee on Victoria Square as part of the first birthday of Digital Birmingham.

We just wanted to accomplish a couple of things: introduce more people to the Grassroots Channel and give as many as possible the opportunity to record and then edit their own comments for this programme. It was a chance for people to get their hands on some simple digital technology. Millie and her son Bismarck (in the picture) had a go and everyone found it pretty easy. Most seemed to really enjoy the power of digital editing.

And what were they talking about? It was Valentines’ day so we asked them to tell us what they love about their neighbourhood:

7th February 2007

Citizen Snitch? Nah

The headline isn’t mine (thanks Jon Bounds) and neither is the story (thanks for the pointer from Pete Ashton again), but photographer Pete Marshall (troutmask on flickr) captured this pretty image of the Lord Mayor making fulsome use of the double yellows outside the side entrance to the Mailbox in Birmingham.

Citizen Snitch was the title of the e-mail alerting me to this. I think not, after all snitching is a core part of journalism – so Citizen Journalist it is. In true journalistic tradition Paul’s blog entry has even managed to tie editorial and advertising together, if you look at his site google ads is offering all sorts of options to help the Lord Mayor avoid driving fines.

Of course we are only talking about the evidence of one passing citizen.

Now where’s that parking ticket I need to pay (convicted on the evidence of one pair of eyes) and the speeding fine I need to settle (convicted on the evidence of one camera lense).