The Birth of Radio

1
The Birth of Radio

• Radio was invented at the end of the 19th Century
  by Guglielmo Marconi
• At first, it was used to send morse code without
  using wires.
• Later, speech and other sounds were carried using
  the new technology.
• In the 1920s, Radio broadcasting was born.

2
Broadcasting

• Presenters and performers would assemble in a
  studio and make a live broadcast.
• Powerful transmitters sent out radio waves
  representing the sound.
• These radio signals could be picked up by anyone
  within range with the right receiving equipment.
• The same basic technology is still in operation
  today.

3
Other forms of Radio

• There are other forms of Radio, which operate
  over a narrower area than broadcast radio.
• Holiday camps such as Butlins had Radio which
  was played over loudspeakers across the camp.
• Hospitals often have their own radio stations
  which can be received by patients at their
  bedside.
• Can you think of any others ways that sound is
  used in this way?

4
Internet Radio

• In recent years, a new form of Radio broadcast
  over the Internet has arisen.
• It has the advantage that you can pick up
  stations from anywhere in the world.
• The expensive transmission equipment necessary to
  make normal radio broadcasts is not required, so
  virtually anyone can start an Internet radio
  station.

5
Podcasting

• Podcasting is a variation of Internet radio.
• Instead of listening to a radio show whilst
  sitting in front of your PC, you can download an
  MP3 file of the show, and listen to it later on
  your MP3 player.
• Although it takes its name from the iPod, any MP3
  player can receive podcasts.

6
What were doing

• Over the next few lessons we will learn how to
  create our own audio content.
• We will use a program called Audacity to record
  and edit the content.

7
Activity 1

• Find 3 radio stations on the Internet that have
  broadcast counterparts
• E.g. Capital Radio London, BBC Radio 4, Virgin
  Radio
• Find 3 radio stations on the Internet from
  outside the UK

8
Activity 2

• Load Pupil Resource 1.wav into Audacity
• There are a number of mistakes in the recording.
• Edit out all the mistakes
• If you need help, read Audacity Basics.doc
• Extension If you have corrected all the errors,
  see if you can make the recording exactly 1
  minute long.

9
Plenary

• New technology has changed the way radio is
  created and listened to.
• You can listen to programs from anywhere in the
  world broadcast on the Internet.
• You dont have to sit in front of a PC to listen
  to Internet radio programs can be downloaded to
  an MP3 player and listened to later.