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Teachnology

Make waves networking

Students can set up their own websites in a safe environment using a site discovered by Ann Logan.

Make the most of the multimedia world with the Makewaves social networking site for schools, where all students have their own web page to showcase their work. 

The site, for primary and secondary schools, lets students upload their videos, podcasts and other digital creations. They present their own news reports, create animations and collaborate on writing projects. You can then assess what they have done and, if you choose, encourage them to seek comments from their peers, parents or even students from other schools. 

Projects

Makewaves joins organisations such as the National Literacy Trust, the Imperial War Museum and the NSPCC to create projects. Students can become reporters and create their own stories to contribute to these projects. In one example, the Grünheide-York Partnership, an organisation working to improve understanding between Germany and the UK, invites Makewaves reporters to write stories and articles about different aspects of UK and German culture. In another, Young Carers in Focus, reporters offer stories about what it’s like to be a young carer. 

Other stories include top tips on health and highlights from a festival. Students from Riversdale Primary have created a podcast with interviews on their school’s completion of an online ‘safety in social networking’ course. 

The site is a safe place for students to learn. Makewaves scrutinises everyone who registers and, unlike Facebook, only young people aged five to 19 and their teachers can join. Makewaves staff, all of whom are CRB checked, monitor content. 

The Makewaves Basic service is free. With this, you can create your own school website and as many student websites as you need. You can have unlimited whole-school blogging as well as telephone and email support, and publish up to 30 minutes of school audio and video. 

If you need more space or want to customise your website, you can upgrade for a fee. The Plus+ service offers 150 minutes of school video uploads; there are no limits with the Pro! service. 

Some 3,000 schools from over 50 countries use the site.

Build your confidence

Makewaves offers online curriculum resources and professional development workshops to get teachers using the system.  

Prices vary depending on type of school and service required. Visit the website for further information. Makewaves is a BETT award winner.

www.radiowaves.co.uk