Category Archives: PSA

The SLO Exam: Podcast Creation

Today, we used the script that we wrote last week to record the podcast about SLO testing in school. Megan started by recording the podcast in Audacity and then played around with editing and music to make our finished project. It took some time to find the right song to go with the PSA because there weren’t that many options on the computer that fit well with the podcast. We’re very happy with the final product!

The SLO Exam

The SLO exam is taken in fall and spring, and is used to measure your improvement during the year. It often makes you write essays in classes that have absolutely nothing to do with writing. For example, when do you ever have to write an essay in band? Art? Never, unless of course you are taking the SLO; which is supposed to gauge your development in that class. How exactly is a writing assignment supposed to show how you improved in a class that requires playing an instrument or drawing a picture? The thing is that it really doesn’t; you could just completely refuse to take the exam in the beginning or just not try very hard, then, at the end of the year try on it a bit to show some sort of fake improvement. It would be much better to have an exam that has to do with the class. In band, why not do a solo? In art, you could draw a picture and try to redraw it at the end of the year to show your refinement in that medium.

Podcasts, Audacity and a PSA

PSA WORKSHOP

A)    Listen and analyze two PSA’s. Complete the analysis worksheet.

Example1

Example 2

B)    Brainstorm, then choose and write down your topic for your PSA.

C)    Choose and write down your intended audience.

D)    Compose a rough draft of your PSA. Please compose it in WordPress and make a post, using the category “PSA”. Revise as needed. Save and Publish before the end.

E)     Add the categories of both partner’s names to your post.

F)     Keep working on your PSA.

 

PSA Writing Tips:

  1. Capture your audience’s attention by asking questions directed especially to them.
  2. Stick to essential information.
  3. Use emotion to get your audience involved.
  4. Call the audience to action.
  5. Include contact information. Repeat difficult or key information.
  6. Read your script aloud.
  7. Include attention getting sounds.
  8. Have fun.
  9. Aim for 30 seconds (about 100 words).
  10. Revise as needed.
  11. Feel free to invent information in order to complete your PSA.
  12. Don’t get stuck.

 

G)    Add a related image to your PSA WordPress post.

H)    Record your PSA in Audacity if you have time.

 

Resources:

eHow: How to Write a PSA

Scholastic PSA Lesson Plan\

in-depth PSA tips

Choose and write down your intended audience.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2227361_write-a-psa.html

Tips on Preparing a PSA

Handout – psa+worksheet