Learning agreement

Creative Music Project

So, the learning agreement is nearly complete. I have a couple of book reviews to get organised and submission is Friday.

The learning agreement is in place so that we don't waver to far from our initial intentions from what I can understand. The CMP is quite a broad subject and although there is scope to do just about anything related to popular music, it must be a difficult piece to mark. Writing it has enabled me to think more about the theories that I may implement in the planning stages and also how the critical essay will form following the production.

Here is an excerpt from my learning agreement, which I am now not using - but gives insight into my intentions on a critical analysation level:

This entire process will be an experiment as radio is not something I have delved in before. The candidate will have compared at various music events and speaking publicly is something he would consider himself to be good at; but producing and presenting a radio show will be a new experience.


Using research that I glean in the first few weeks by reading and exploring various source materials, I intend to experiment with forms and structures of potential shows during the design and planning stages. Form experimentation will occur by designing itineraries to include matter such as interviews, music placement, commercial and advertising frequency (if appropriate), live music and any other aspects lending themselves to form part of a radio show that I may explore during the process.


These ideas will form an article that I would expect a conventional audience to be familiar with. Conventions such as existing radio programmes and articles that I research will enable me to form useful analysis that will ultimately attribute to the design and function of the completed article. I will be able to experiment with different conventions in order to explore my own research and ultimately; target audience and final product.


Another aspect to be experimented with and analysed in detail is the use of language. I intend to address not only the language that is spoken but the choices of music or subject matter. I will need to decide on whether to give the show a national or local identity and explore advantages, disadvantages and aspects that the use of spoken language can dictate. Because radio does not feature communicative confirmation (where the audience are able to confirm an understanding of the information they have received), I will need to look at (from both a producer and presenter point of view) how the language is delivered to make sure that it is universally understood. This may relate to local slang and other linguistic substance.


Technique is something that I believe (at this stage) I can only get right once in the studio. Learning the technical aspects of running a show are not something one can master from reading, though one of my source materials talks about general layouts and equipment found in a radio station. Techniques in my remit I would suggest will be technical actions such as cueing music, working with ‘talk-over’ and keeping a show flowing. I refer to this as mechanical technique, but I will also experiment with technique in delivery of linguistic presentation. 

I know, I know. Looks like a lot of waffle, but I can categorically confirm that a lot of thought went into that!

On another note, I have a meeting this evening at the SU (Student Union) with the student radio station 'Looprevil'. With any luck, there my be a regular slot for me to fill as a producer/presenter, which would be the absolute ideal result given this project, which also leads me to the below....

Work Based Learning

I have checked with my tutor, Simone and should I not be able to attain work experience with a company, I can use Looprevil as the basis for this work (if I get a slot).

However, I have to raise a glass and a note of thanks to another girl on my course Ramena, who kindly organised a contact for me with 'Jon Jessop' of Coast Radio in Southport. I spoke to Jon on the phone with a view to organising some work experience and he has kindly agreed to meet me next wednesday at the studio for a coffee and to talk further!

Exciting stuff... Watch this space!