Communications I

Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.

In order to be factual storytellers who serve communities, journalists need to become familiar with core journalism concepts including what constitutes news, where it comes from and how to report it responsibly. Students explore how to respect the story, the storyteller, and the storytelling process. Students identify and find news stories; explore how to develop relevant, diverse news formats; practise how to interview; identify how to stay committed to factual accuracy; and practise how to ensure diverse and inclusive news sources are used. Through consistent and diverse news consumption, study of Indigenous histories, interviews and streeters, news writing assignments and journals, students gain the foundational skills they need to report for written, audio and visual news sources.

Introduction to Photography

Photography is a powerful visual communication tool that can be used to enhance storytelling. Students discover the capabilities of DSLR cameras by exploring their functionality beyond simply pointing and clicking. While learning to work a professional camera’s features, students learn the basic reporting techniques required to function as journalists and visual storytellers. Students learn how to use ambient lighting conditions, framing and shot composition to best support a story. Students take photos in a variety of settings and environments, exploring best practices that will support their post-production work with photo-editing software. Hands-on exercises, class discussions, field trips and group work are all used to cultivate confidence and comfort using a camera.

Radio Fundamentals

There are many operational and legal requirements for running a radio station. Students develop an understanding of the basic on-air elements needed to produce a show and learn how to operate industry standard equipment. Students plan and host a show on the two College radio stations, CKDJ 107.9 FM and AIR AM 1700. Theoretical classroom work is translated into practical on-air performance.

Performance 1

Using proper voice mechanics and techniques is essential for working in the radio and podcasting industry. Students practice the basics of breathing techniques, dynamics and pitch control, microphone technique, and announcing. As skills are polished, assignments become more involved until students are able to perform with confidence and professionalism. Student work may be showcased as part of the programming lineup on CKDJ 107.9 FM and AIR AM 1700 or in podcasts.

Local Government

Whether we’re taking the bus, playing hockey at the local arena, taking out the trash or simply living in an apartment or house, municipal governments touch our lives in many ways. A thorough understanding of how a municipal government works and how it affects us all is essential to be an active and engaged citizen. Students explore structures of city, town and rural municipal councils, their interactions with senior levels of government, as well as the critical role they play in the political and economic landscape.

Exploring Image and Sound

In order to produce high quality audio and video assets, media industry professionals must understand the fundamentals of image, sound, and media management. Students gain experience identifying the qualities of professional quality audio and video content and practice selecting the tools and production techniques to enhance the sounds and images to meet quality standards. Students employ the basics of media asset management. Through workshops, students examine audio and video samples and apply production techniques to improve them. Students then build a story that they produce with image and sound.

Scriptwriting for Radio and Podcasting

Radio and podcasting require different types of written scripts to tell effective stories and engage audiences. Students enhance their ability to write with versatility, for a variety of audiences and platforms. Through listening to examples of popular podcasts and radio programs, they assess what makes a script effective. Individually, and in teams, they research, write, and perform scripts, some of which may also be distributed on radio, podcasts, and other digital platforms

Radio News Writing

News content is one of the cornerstones of the audio media landscape. Students develop skills to research and report on news stories and deliver newscasts. They learn to write and edit clearly and quickly for a deadline and to perform on-air with credibility.

Commercial Writing

Effective commercials need to be written both to engage the audience and to meet the client’s needs. Students learn the basic skills needed to write advertising scripts that sell products and services. Students develop basic techniques of creative commercial writing to reach target audiences on various platforms. Students become familiar with the laws that apply to advertising different products and explore creative ways to advertise products and services.

Performance 2

New radio and podcast hosts are expected to be able to use a microphone properly. Students examine ways to refine their announcing skills. Students develop technical aptitudes and performance skills, as well as an understanding of various programming formats and announcing techniques. Skills learned are applied to a weekly show on the College radio stations, CKDJ 107.9 and AIR AM1700, as well as podcasts and other digital platforms.

Radio Programming 1

Operating a radio station requires a polished on-air performance and sound programming practices. Students continue to improve their skills on the College radio stations CKDJ 107.9 and AIR AM1700 and learn the fundamentals of music scheduling and playlist selection. They take on increasing levels of responsibility in the day-to day operation of both radio stations and enhance their ability to communicate effectively with the listener.

Audio Production 1

Understanding the role of quality audio is essential in the production of radio shows and podcasts. Students refine their production techniques in a digital studio. They produce commercials, promos and station IDs according to professional standards. They also explore some advanced production techniques in the audio editing software.

Audio Storytelling

Being a good storyteller is critical to developing and maintaining radio and podcast audiences. Students combine their interviewing and reporting skills for broadcast. They research and produce high-quality audio content for CKDJ 107.9 FM and other digital platforms. Students write and produce stories that hook listeners through voice and sound. Production, narrative storytelling, presentation and group work skills are explored.

General Education Elective

For this course, you will have the opportunity to choose one from a group of general education electives. Your options will include courses which cover the following broad topic areas: Arts in Society, Civic Life, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, and Science and Technology.

Digital Communications

Audio and video content producers use a variety of digital channels to augment their audio delivery platforms. Students analyze channels and trends while creating content for various digital platforms. Students participate in the maintenance of the AIR and CKDJ digital properties and examine how to integrate digital tools with their on-air performance.

Radio Programming 2

Successful candidates entering the radio job market need to have a variety of skillsets. Students learn the many roles at a radio station through hands-on experience at the College radio stations, CKDJ 107.9 and AIR AM1700. Students are responsible for the management and day-to-day operations of both stations, including live on-air hosting, newscasting, production, promotions and sales. Students take on a mentorship role, supporting first-year students in learning master control operations. They apply skills learned in the classroom to deliver a refined product to our radio station audiences.

Sales and Marketing

The business side of radio and the sales is linked to all aspects of radio station operations. Students learn the importance of creating a brand, understanding the various revenue streams and the link between on-air promotions and sales. Students create a brand for a radio station and their own personal brand. Students practice consultative selling techniques and strategies to work with clients through the sales process.

Audio Production 2

Radio and podcasting are an audio medium; therefore, the ability to recognize and produce quality audio at a high level is important. Students master digital editing and produce their own promos, station IDs, commercials, and in show production elements. Student apply advanced digital editing techniques to improve the sound quality of audio recordings.

Podcasting

Subscribers are looking for podcasting content that they can consume when and where they want it. Many brands, companies and individuals are using podcasting to deliver their unique message to consumers. Students refine their production, interviewing and hosting skills, learning how to fully package content for the Algonquin Times community news site, the campus radio station CKDJ and distribution on a digital platform. Students explore the potential for podcasting to generate revenue through clients and sponsorship.

General Education Elective

Students choose one course, from a group of general education electives, which meets one of the following five theme requirements: Arts in Society, Civic Life, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, and Science and Technology.

Engaging Through Social Media

Social media platforms and strategies play a key role in how media brands engage with their audience. Students evaluate social media campaigns for media brands by identifying target audiences and content strategies. Students also interpret analytics and apply what they have learned to enhance their own productions and engage their audiences. Students explore approaches for navigating negativity in the online environment. Through case studies, studying industry trends and practices, and creating their own social media engagement strategy, students discover the importance of social media in the television, video, digital media, and streaming industries.

Solutions Journalism

Solutions journalism improves communities through positive, insightful news that turns the negative reputation of news on its head. Its goal is to help people and to offer hope. Students explore why this emerging, essential form of storytelling needs to exist today and why it’s growing. Along with meeting practitioners of the craft and practising how to put its structured steps into action, students collaboratively produce written, audio, and video content.

Esports Production

As the gaming industry continues to integrate into popular culture as well as the streaming and broadcast industries, producers and technicians must be able to understand the esports ecosystem. Students use the latest technologies to bring esports to life through the creation and execution of their own production plans for esports games and tournaments. Through analysis of current practices and technologies used by shows and streams, students explore how the esports industry works and how events are produced.

Field Placement

Field placements help students gain experience in the radio and podcasting industry while honing their skills. Students train on the job with an outside placement or working in the College radio stations CKDJ 107.9 and AIR AM1700. At this level, students contribute towards high-calibre audio content in the industry. Students engage in evaluation with the employer as well as self-evaluation.

Career Development

New professionals must understand today’s evolving media landscape and how to showcase the desired knowledge and skills to prospective employers. Students identify industry trends and hiring practices, discover further learning opportunities, and set goals and expectations to build a realistic career path in their chosen sector. Students create a professional resume, develop a professional social media profile, and build networking and interviewing skills, while hearing from professionals and other guests who are working in the industry.

Radio Formats

Basic knowledge of the many ways that radio stations can be programmed is an essential skill. Students gain an appreciation of the different styles of radio. They learn how radio formats are used to reach a target audience and the ways in which Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission regulations affect radio programming.

Performance 3

Landing a paid job on air or as a podcast host requires a refinement of performance skills to an advanced level. Students critically listen to work from the industry, and voice and produce short audio pieces weekly for personal review, that can be used for on air and online distribution. Weekly content will be aired on CKDJ 107.9 FM / AIR AM 1700 and our station podcasting platforms.

Newsroom – Radio

Good storytelling is an essential tool for news reporters. Students combine their news gathering and reporting skills in a current affairs-focused audio storytelling course. They collaborate with Journalism students to promote Algonquin Times stories in an audio format. Students conduct research and interviews to record and produce high quality current affairs material for live broadcast and podcast formats.

Radio Promotions

Promotions are helpful in extending the radio station’s brand experience with its two core customers: the listener and the client. Students are introduced to the different types of promotions. They are then immersed in the multiple stages of the development of a promotion, from inception to execution. Analytical skills exercises are used to critically assess current radio promotions, as well as their own.