To start the unit, webbing is used to determine the services provided by a radio station. The students are introduced to a radio broadcasting system using the microphone and portable radio. Input, processing, and output devices are explained. After these introductory lessons, students are divided into groups of four to five students. Each group must create a mock radio station and develop a ten-minute radio program that is informative, entertaining, and persuasive.
Additional assignments require students to listen to and critique local radio station broadcasts.
The materials needed for a class of 20 to 25 students are one wireless microphone, five FM portable radios, two cassette players, a stopwatch to time broadcasts, and blank cassette tapes. The groups work in different corners of the regular classroom and hall when they practice. One section of the room is sectioned off for the radio broadcast area. Professionals from local radio stations guest lecture discussing their jobs, career opportunities, programming, problems, and duties. As the groups work on their projects, they begin to realize the importance of technology and the many advances that have been made since the first radio broadcast.