Give Students a Real Platform

Start with something worth saying

Do not create an audience first and then search for content. Begin with stories, questions, learning, issues, celebrations, interviews, or ideas students genuinely have reason to share.

Make the audience real

Possible audiences include another class, families, school staff, community members, local leaders, younger students, future students, or a broader public audience where appropriate and permitted.

Give students responsibility, not just airtime

Students can research, write questions, introduce guests, host, facilitate, present, explain, edit, reflect, and help decide what should be shared.

Protect support without taking ownership back

Adults should manage privacy, permissions, safety, logistics, and appropriate coaching. The goal is enough structure for students to succeed without turning the platform into an adult production.

Let the platform reflect the actual community

The BAGO Mic reflects Winnebago Public Schools and the Winnebago community. Other educators should build from their own students, place, stories, and community rather than copying culturally specific elements.

Nicholas in Practice

The BAGO Mic became more powerful because the audience was real, the conversations were real, and students discovered that their experiences and perspectives had value.

Quick planning check

• What do students have worth sharing?
• Who is a meaningful audience?
• What responsibility can students own?
• What adult safeguards are necessary?
• What will students learn from having their work heard?

Final question: If students knew someone real would hear this, how would the quality and meaning of the work change?