Hey Ho So Anyways Podcast

It is always exciting to work with young people and see what they do with the information from my workshops. I recently did a podcasting workshop with a group of young people from Aberdeen Grammar.  The workshop had to be online due to Covid and this was new to me with this kind of workshop. However it was great that technology allowed us to go ahead and work with each other – the pupils in Aberdeen and me in my office just outside Glasgow.   

The session was about interviews and podcasting tailored to their podcasting group. After we had talked about doing interviews and I had passed on a few hints and tips, the group immediately put their newfound knowledge into practice. They interviewed Dallas King from Aberdeen City Libraries remotely (facilitated by their brilliant librarian /teacher Miss Gould…a real ‘can do type person’). Questions ranged from e-books to the ghost in the library.   

With this building block in place the young people went away and finished their podcast ‘Hey Ho So Anyways’ episode on books called ‘Books – A Trip To The Aquarium’.  My absolute favourite part of their podcast is where these incredibly articulate young folk do an interesting round table chat about reading.  It’s refreshing to hear such enthusiasm for reading and books. I loved when one person said about writers using difficult language just for the sake of it   

“It’s like a cake that’s too sweet”.

Another pertinent comment was 

“…teenager don’t read…no! …some of us do read.” 

Not only do these teenagers read they have great ideas and can express them too. 

So I’ll look forward to having a cup of coffee and settling down to listen to the next episode of  ‘Hey Ho So Anyways’ …whatever the topic it might be. 

You can find Hey Ho So Anyways’ here at https://sites.google.com/ab-ed.org/heyhosoanyways/home. Don’t be fooled where it says on the page ‘5 eejits trying to make a podcast’, they did make a podcast and they are anything but eejits!

Hello

Hi there I’m Jo Hall and welcome to my blog. I worked with the BBC for over 25 years, in learning mostly. During the last 12 of those years I taught young people from all over Scotland how to make videos, create audio podcasts, enjoy stop frame animation and try script writing. I was Project Leader with BBC Scotland’s Learning L.A.B. I made lots of films and worked on some really interesting projects in that time including River City secondary school projects, mental health drama projects for primary schools and early years creative literacy projects.

I am now running my own business working with schools and groups making films, podcasts and doing animation. If you’d like to work with me or talk through a project please get in touch.

I also present and produce JoJo Gnome’s Story Podcast. This is a podcast filled with story telling for ages 3-6. It also encourages younger children to make up their own stories. It is free for schools and parents to use, so please have listen. I am passionate about younger children having access to stories and encouraging them to be creative storytellers themselves. I take JoJo Gnome into schools (P1/2) and nurseries to deliver story workshops… while wearing my story hat, a story is always better with a story hat. This year JoJo Gnome took part in the Boswell Book Festival and as well as sharing stories taught the children to make a story flower, it was great fun. Last year our workshops were online but this year (fingers crossed) we’ll be able to get back into schools and I’ll get to meet some of you in person.

To coincide with a new JoJo Gnome story book ‘JoJo Gnome Loves Science’ there’s going to be some STEM workshops in the autumn…so look out for that and get in touch if you are interested in doing a workshop.

On this blog I’ll be sharing some hints and tips around film making, writing and performance on camera. I’ll also be sharing some of the work the young people will be making with me. There will also be some JoJo Gnome fun stuff for the younger ones.

It promises to be an interesting journey, I look forward to having you along for the creative ride.