Broadcast education activities are crucial to engaging and enriching your students. They allow them to take ownership of their projects, think independently, collaborate with other students, and develop essential broadcasting skills. From commentating on live games to running an entire production, these activities will help build a robust student-led sports broadcasting program.
Ready to level up your broadcast program? Start by enrolling in our FREE Level Up Your Broadcast Course in FRE!
Below, we've compiled 10 engaging sports broadcasting activities that will transform your student-led broadcast program.
The 10 Engaging Broadcast Education Activities
1. Play-by-Play Announcing
Activity: Students will provide play-by-play commentary for a live sporting event.
Assessment: Assess the clarity of their communication, the excitement generated, and their ability to convey the action while using correct sports terminology.
Resource: Help equipment your student who are just getting behind the mic for the first time with 5 Terms Your Broadcasting Crew Needs to Know
2. Color Commentary Preparation
Activity: Students will research players, teams, and stats to provide compelling color commentary during a broadcast.
Assessment: Evaluate the quality of research, storytelling, and the ability to keep the audience engaged with relevant anecdotes and insights.
Resource: What makes a great color commentator is being able to tell a story from stats in a broadcast, and here's a great tool for stat keeping this winter sports season—Keeping Basketball Stats
3. Camera Operation Practice
Activity: Students will learn the basics of camera operation and angles for covering sports events.
Assessment: Assess the ability to capture smooth shots, the consistency of framing key moments, and the use of various angles to create dynamic coverage.
Resource: A part of our Broadcast Education program, we offer student certifications to provide students with a broadcast foundational techniques including our Camera Operator Certification
4. Directing a Live Broadcast
Activity: Students will assume the role of directors, managing different camera feeds and communicating with the production crew.
Assessment: Assess their ability to manage multiple camera angles, provide clear directions to the crew, and ensure smooth transitions during the broadcast.
Resource: Watch this clip from the 2024 NSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament and how to direct a great production during an awesome play—Behind-the-scenes: We Let A Student Crew Capture A Dunk!
5. Sideline Reporting
Activity: Students will conduct interviews on the sidelines with coaches or players during a game.
Assessment: Evaluate students on the quality of their questions, professionalism, and ability to gain insightful responses during interviews.
6. Podcasting
Activity: Create a student-led podcast, highlighting students, staff, and events at your school by telling the stories within your halls.
Assessment: Analyze the podcast structure, assess the interviews, and strategize storytelling to create an episodic theme.
Resource: Learn more about how to find the best equipment for podcasting in your classroom—How to Find the Right Podcasting Gear
7. Pre-Game and Post-Game Shows
Activity: Students will watch professional broadcast pre-game/post-game shows, to produce a (15-minute max with commercials allotted) pre-game or post-game show, including analysis, interviews, and insights into key matchups.
Assessment: Break down the show's structure, evaluate the overall storytelling, analyze students and measure the effectiveness of transitions between segments.
8. Graphics and Scoreboard Operation
Activity: Students will design and operate on-screen graphics, such as team rosters, scores, and key statistics.
Assessment: Assess the accuracy of the information displayed, the timeliness of graphic updates, and the overall visual quality.
9. Social Media Coverage
Activity: Students will create social media posts to promote the live broadcast, including highlight clips, score updates, player of the game, and notable stats.
Assessment: Assess the creativity of posts, engagement metrics, and the effectiveness in driving viewership to the live broadcast.
Resource: 9 Twitter Accounts to Follow for Graphic Design Inspo for Students
10. Broadcast Analysis and Feedback
Activity: After a broadcast, students will watch the recording and evaluate their performance using the Broadcast Scorecard.
Assessment: Assess their ability to identify areas for improvement, provide constructive feedback to teammates, and set actionable goals for the next broadcast.
Resource: Elevate Your Productions with the Broadcast Scorecard
These activities encourage students to collaborate, think creatively, and develop real-world broadcasting skills. From producing a live event to managing social media coverage, they will experience the entire production cycle, gaining practical knowledge that can carry them into future careers in media.
Want to take your broadcast program to the next level? Enroll in our FREE Level Up Your Broadcast Course in FRE to access more resources, connect with like-minded educators, and empower your students to create amazing broadcasts.
Start your journey today – Enroll in our FREE Level Up Your Broadcast Course in FRE!