August 2011

Guess am the first one to post. Let me start by saying that am impressed with Daystars introduction of an E-Learning site though i was surprisingly met with an incorrect username or password message in bold red, a color a student rarely wants to see. Regardless, today's class was interesting, some of my colleagues actually already have a wealth of knowledge in maters relating to media. I am still googling on the difference between a teleprompter and an autocue. I hope that our class will be as interesting and informative as was today. Marcel {PS. Mrs Rosemary's Kowours' e-mail address urgently needed}

com 264 reflections

The first day of this class was quite challenging for me and I kept on wondering if i will be able to keep up with all those new terms!right now its five weeks down the line and all I can say is WOW!This class is so intersating and it has really opened my eyes into what broadcast is all about. The first class started off well with Ann and Nyakeri doing a brilliant job in introducing us tobroadcast techniques.They were well vast with the topic and well dressed for the part,awesome job guyz. The other lessons that have followed have also been good with the most outstanding ones including the discussion on turntables and also the one on consoles and mixers.

Last class on microphones was also good however,the facilitators would have improved on their presentation to make it more interesting.It was evident that they werent conversant with the topic which greatly affected their presentation.Nonethe less, we learnt about different types of microphones and which ones are suitable for which event. We got to know the difference between the condensor and dynamic mics. The activity at the end of the class was also nice since it helped us get a feel of how it is like when your doing post-production. I love the openness in class and the different ideas that each member of the class brings up.I am looking foward to the next classes.
Wendy Mise 10-0046

Microphones

Last class we were able to learn more about the microphones in addition to the little taht we already knew about the condenser and the dynamic microphones. It was stated to determine the kind of microphone to use, one should consider the proximity effect, the frequency response and the pick up patterns. Today in chapel i found it quite intriguing trying to analyse the microphones that were being used, their pick up patterns and if there were any other kinds of microphones the school could buy to ensure that the sound amplified at the end of the day is of good quality. So far, I believe that the microphones in chapel are dynamic microphones with a unidirectional pick up pattern.

The facilitators of yesterdays class did a good job for it takes alot of work and determination to ensure that you know most of the content so that you may be able to pass it down to the rest of the class. The group activity that was conducted by Mrs. Kowour was quite interesting as well. Creating a script for a hypothetical situation and deciding what kind of microphones to use was the highlight of the day. It made me realise just how important the techniques are and how one wrong choice would actually ruin a whole production.

I do have to agree with Fadhili that the Monday blues are no more. We come to class knowing that it is upto us to make the class interesting and interactive as possible. as much as the first 20minutes or so, most of us are always adjusting, we always end up talking and sharing ideas in groups which makes learning easier. Just to encourage all the class members, let us keep up with the good work that we began and God will bless our work.

Anne Warui

Monday Blues...No more

It’s Monday, February 21, 2011. It’s hard to believe five weeks have passed with all the excitement that greets me each Monday morning as I make my way to class for the Broadcast techniques class. Interesting how everyone here is a pro at some point- we all get to be the lecturer at some point.

 Ann Warui and her counter part started us off with the intro- basically an overview of what broadcast techniques is all about. They bombarded us with all sorts of technical terms and we thought they were geniuses. Well at least for that moment, now we are all acquainted with these technical terms. But they did a fantabulous job in all. Double thumbs-up guys.

Next up was Phoebe and Moses. They injected vibrancy, interactivity and enthusiasm in that Monday class. The topic was mixers and consoles- a particularly topic of interest for me as mixers and consoles fascinate me. After their lovely presentation, Fadhili and Rehema teamed up to spin us through the basics of turntables and CD players.

 Well, their presentation came with a surprise of a quiz….and how it was, was a bit unorthodox, but was all good anyway. Nut this wasn’t surprising at all, in any case, it’s Mrs Kowuor we are talking of here- she’s as dynamic as the latest Mercedes Benz  car model! So today, it was the tapes turn- tape recording and playback- and the class was no different- fun, interactive and exciting to be in.

So every time I wake up in the morning on Monday’s, I know there’s more than one thing to look forward to that week, and one of them is the Broadcast Techniques class, and the people in it.

Fadhili Kanini

Reflection on COM264B

It takes a lot to teach a student and make them totally interested in what you are saying and to leave them wanting more. i have been able to think about all i learn in class and the best part is i can always go to the studio and practise. I also would like to thank the class members and also group members for we are always working as a team, helping each other at the studio.

When I learnt of the quiz, i did panic at first. the reason for my reaction was because I was not sure about my theory bit. I wouldn't mind a practical exam any day, anytime but a written quiz, i wouldnt be so sure. However, i realized, as much as this class is more of practical work, i can never be able to explain to someone who doesnt know anything about consoles and mixers without having the correct terms and their functions. the quiz was great now that we were able to test each other and later discuss the best answers for the questions we ourselves had set. Class keeps getting better and better.

I cant wait for more exciting sessions of com264, this class has just confirmed what i knew, BROADCAST ROCKS!!!!!!!

Anne Warui

REFLECTIVE HABITS 8TH FEB 2011

The class was one of a kind, personally i had alot of tension brewing inside wen the lecturer came into the class with cut up papers i knew that she was going to give us tough application questions but to my surprise we set the questions for each other and did the marking to. This technique to me is quite effective as we get to master the content that we read in class and get to do it in practice i grasped more. the class was about CDs and turntables, it reminded me of the old CDs that my my father keeps in the archives that gave me a better understanding of the issue of a whole. then the studio exercise the combo was really tasking to ensure that your recording doesn't go over pitch.

my reflective habits on the 7th of february 2011

creativity,creativity, this has become the order of the day,but to this particular one, i say congrats! 'Lawyer', it is known as. It is an initiative where there is a person asking questions to a supposed accused person where, the accused is not suposed to answer the questions asked but his lawyer i.e. the person on his left hand side.this icebreaker was both intresting and educative in the sense that i learnt the importance of keeness and following instructions.Every now and then people would get confused and answer questions they wwere not supposed to. Wow!i thought.
well,well, well,step by step. The day's lesson was supposed to be on turntables and compact discs. A the studio i learnt parts of the turntable, their funtions and how the machine works.I love the way the DJs do it but with this ?!no way! I thought it looked quite oldfashioned,and in deed it is.I learnt that the major difference between those of today and the ancient ones is that the modern ones are a bit smaller and do not use a big CDs as those used in the ancient ones.
Then to recording.Oh my!it's just impossible.How is one supposed to edit their work from a reel to reel tape? To my amazement, Mrs.Kowoour says they did it!Can you belive that? Unlike today when we only cut, boost, paste, undo,redo, and excetra on the computer, they had to literally cut and paste! and trust me, they made it. This got me thinking, if they did, why not me?