WAMC Student Town Meeting Launches New Web Site

ALBANY, NY (08/25/2008)(readMedia)-- WAMC Northeast Public Radio is pleased to launch a new website for its Youth Media Project: Student Town Meetings. The new web design better reflects the contemporary nature of the project and the status it has attained as a state and national leader in news literacy since its inception in 2005. The site, located on-line at www.wamcstudenttownmeetings.org, features improved navigability, enhanced visual appeal, and several new features including an index of discussion topics by category, a feedback form and program broadcast schedule.

Dr. Alan Chartock, WAMC's President and CEO, sees the launching of the new design as an exciting way to begin the fourth year of this unique collaboration between public radio and public schools. "We couldn't be more proud of this whole project, including the new web site. This kind of community activity is what gives WAMC the reputation it has earned from our listeners," says Chartock

Through the site, educators around the world can access instructional materials, resources, and information on how to adapt the student town meeting format for use in their schools and local communities.

"The new design allows us to showcase this important project in a bright, clean, fresh-looking site attractive to young people and educators. In addition, all the photographs used throughout the site depict actual students and adult participants in the program," says Maryanne Malecki, WAMC's Education Director and project coordinator.

Also new to site visitors is the ability to download podcasts of recorded Student Town Meetings (STMs) as well as listen to the audio on-line in MP3 format. Audio for programs recorded prior to March 2008 will remain available on the web site in Windows Media and Real Audio.

"We're finding that teachers within and outside of WAMC's listening area assign listening to recorded STMs as homework or outside research for their students in preparation for upcoming classroom discussions or debates. This way the kids can listen anywhere," says Malecki.

J. Danny Guajardo of JDANNY.COM (located in Plano, Texas), created the site redesign in conjunction with WAMC's Malecki and Nell Brady, Grants Assistant. JDANNY specializes in accessible, functional, and usable design, and has helped successfully launch web projects for small businesses and Fortune 500 companies alike.

WAMC's Youth Media Project provides teachers and students with a structured process that prepares young people to critically analyze and discuss issues affecting them with recognized specialists in the community on public radio. By connecting literacy and critical thinking skills with students' worlds in a meaningful way, WAMC's Youth Media Project encourages young people to become part of the public radio audience.

WAMC's Youth Media Project is made possible through the generous support of the Educational Foundation of America, the Howard and Bush Foundation in honor of Margaret Mochon, and Jack and Connie Hume. It received the New York State Council for the Social Studies Program of Excellence Award in 2006.

Secondary educators in pubic schools interested in participating in the project should contact WAMC Education Director Maryanne Malecki at (518) 465-5233 ext. 135, or visit the Web site, www.wamcstudenttownmeetings.org.