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One of Australia’s leading audio companies has launched a program to provide free podcasting equipment to NSW schools to help them manage remote learning challenges caused by COVID-19 coronavirus.
RØDE Microphones is making up to $2m worth of its podcasting equipment available free of charge to NSW public high schools. Participating schools will be able to keep the equipment after the coronavirus threat passes.
Company founder and chairman Peter Freedman said the potential impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak on schools and their students was enormous.
“We have already seen some schools shut down due to fears of an outbreak and we can expect to see many more closures over the coming months,” he said.
“The ramifications this will have on students’ learning is serious and I want to offer support to schools and to the Education Department in providing solutions."
RØDE said it is working with The NSW Education Department to complement the work already underway to minimise learning disruptions.
Representatives from interested NSW public schools can go to an online portal on the RØDE Australia website to register for the offer of a full podcasting kit, including a RØDECaster Pro podcast production studio, microphones and accessories.
The equipment will enable schools to record course materials remotely if their school is closed and students are kept at home for an extended period.
To assist teachers RØDE is also providing an information pack on how to record and edit their podcasts and distribute them to students, plus phone and email support from its Sydney-based customer service centre.
“Podcasting is the number one media format being consumed by school students right now,” Freedman said.
“It’s also an incredibly powerful teaching tool, and amidst the current crisis it’s really an ideal platform to give students easy access to class material that they can engage with, in a way that is simple for teachers to create, even if they aren’t audio experts.”
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Why only NSW?
Why only public schools? What about Catholic and Independent schools?Primary and High Schools? Great idea just very exclusive!
How wonderful of this company. Our teachers in North Queensland would love to access to this equipment, being free would be an absolute bonus. Love trying out various modes of teaching 🙂
And what training will be offered to use the equipment? And will there be time allocated for this said professional learning during work hours?