China Stories

We don't just dream this stuff up...

7th Apr 2008 14:00, Gerald

I should probably let you know how we come up with the ideas we do and how we decide what to cover. Just so you know we care.

It all begins with a big hat, some fairy dust and a road trip. Then we assemble a posse and head straight for the circus tent before...

It doesn't begin this way at all. I'm a terrible liar.

For now it generally begins with discussions with teachers about the kinds of things schools are doing or projects which are coming up over the next year, it could the football World Cup, a special year for Scottish music, or a theme - like Global Warming. This year we thought we would do some stuff on China, given that the Olympics are being held there on 08/08/08 (both weird AND magical!)

We also look at any big events to see if there is anything that might be of interest to you lot and then we think about how we might present it to you - so it could be a site, a radio programme, a game or a TV programme - whatever fits best.

Once we have an idea about what would provide you with tonnes of valuable knowledge we get out to schools and start asking what you know about subject X. We try to find out the bits you like, the bits you don't, the bits you find easy and the bits which are rock hard. Then we go back to our office, huddle up and come up with some ideas about how we can help with the tough bits, how we make the interesting bits even more interesting and which bits we don't need to touch 'cause you have nailed them already.

OK, so we don't get to crank out the circus tents and assemble a posse but we do get to come and annoy you at school. And believe it or not, that's one of the best bits of the job.

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