How to Use Media in the Classroom With Radio Dramas
The 1930s and '40s saw the emergence of radio dramas as a central form of entertainment. Though they would soon be replaced by the television broadcast, they were often lively and exciting for the time. One of the most famous radio dramas, Orson Welles's 1938 "The War of the Worlds," was so realistic that it incited panic in many households, which thought that aliens were truly invading Earth. Radio dramas can help students become engaged in the art of storytelling, description, suspense and character development through creative writing. Classic radio dramas can even hint to the culture of the era they were produced, touching upon historical issues and events as well.
Instructions
-
-
1
Select a radio drama and play it for the class.
-
2
Turn out the lights in the room to limit any visual distractions and allow the students to get lost in listening to the story.
-
-
3
Pause the tape and ask the students to describe various aspects of the story, such as what the characters look like and what the scenery or houses might look like.
-
4
Compare the impressions and ideas the different students came up with. Discuss why some students pictured things differently than others. Ask the students what they predict will happen next in the story.
-
5
Discuss the implications and stereotypes used in older radio dramas, such as shows from during the Cold War or World War periods. Touch upon history, such as why a villain from a radio drama from these eras may be depicted with a Russian accent. Explain how history influences our pop culture.
-
6
Continue the story over several days. At the conclusion, ask students to illustrate scenes, items or characters of the story. Display all the creations and compare the differences in the students' depictions.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit radio image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
