From Classrooms to Sound Waves: Villeneuve-sur-Yonne’s Young Creatives Shine
Picture this: a group of fifth graders swapping their textbooks for microphones, diving headfirst into the glorious mess of creativity! That’s exactly what the spirited students of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne college have done, crafting mesmerizing audio guides for their city’s tourist spots, all while simultaneously providing us with delightful ear candy. Who knew history could sound so good?
The Heritage Points Adventure
Under the bright auspices of the Heritage Points project, fueled by the brains of teachers Arnaud Munsch and Séverine Torres, these young scholars have partnered with the Carnot museum-gallery and the Vu du large association. It’s like the Avengers, but for historical storytelling—and without the capes (thank goodness, those would just get in the way during recording sessions!). Thanks to the support of the Drac (Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs), these kids are set to turn their educational journey into auditory magic.
Recording Revolution
The idea launched in 2023? To have students produce audio guides for Villeneuve-sur-Yonne’s main tourist sites. Suddenly, learning about local history isn’t just confined to dull textbooks; no, it’s bursting forth with youthful enthusiasm! With the power of the QR code (it’s like a treasure map, but for your ears!), you can now unlock these audio gems right from your smartphone.
Here’s the kicker: these audio guides aren’t your typical dry, monotone recordings. Imagine instead a vibrant tapestry of sound, crafted by students who’ve thrown away the script (or at least the boring parts). Guided under the watchful eyes of their teachers and the incredible Alexandra Negler—who moonlights as a radio training expert—the students have not just written their scripts, they’ve performed them! Meanwhile, the illustrations provided by Ludivine Bonino-Serrière ensure that every auditory ounce is matched by visual delight.
Dive into the Audio Experience
So, which treasures can you expect to hear about? The first five audios include local landmarks like the Pont Saint-Nicolas and the Grosse Tour. These aren’t just names; they’re snippets of history waiting to be unveiled! Initially shared on the museum and municipality’s social media (because what could be more thrilling than a historical selfie?), they’ve now found a permanent home on the city’s website, forever encapsulated in the alluring charm of a QR code.
Imagine explaining to your mates that you just discovered a piece of local lore, all thanks to some plucky students! Compared to your standard audio guides, traditionally known for being as rigid as a statue, these student-created narratives burst with freshness and invention, making history come alive in your ears. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a cheeky bit of youthful energy?
What’s Next? More Wonder Awaits!
And, fear not! The program isn’t stopping with just a handful of audio guides. The streets of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne are rich with stories just itching to be told. These students are just getting started—offering a near limitless well of creative potential (and probably a good giggle or two along the way!)
In the wise words of every great teacher: “The only thing that should ever be boring is homework!” So thank you, Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, for proving that education can also be seriously fun. I, for one, cannot wait to see what these young creators come up with next—perhaps a podcast where they roast their teachers? Now that would surely take the cake!
The Heritage Points project was masterfully orchestrated by students at Chateaubriand College in Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, in collaboration with the esteemed Carnot museum-gallery and the innovative Vu du large association, all supported by the Drac (Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs) of Bourgogne Franche -County. This engaging initiative aims to enhance media literacy among fifth-grade students, fostering a deeper connection with their cultural heritage.
Films full of freshness and inventiveness
Launched in 2023 by the dynamic teaching duo, Arnaud Munsch and Séverine Torres, the initiative encourages students to create engaging audio guides dedicated to the city’s most iconic tourist sites. By employing modern technology, their objective is to ensure that these immersive audio experiences can be easily accessed on smartphones via a convenient QR code.
Under the expert guidance of their teachers and Alexandra Negler, a specialist in youth radio training and a representative of Vu du large, students have successfully crafted and performed a variety of radio sequences. These creative audio presentations are accessible through the Radio art platform, a proud partner in this innovative project. The artistic illustrations accompanying the audio guides were provided by Ludivine Bonino-Serrière, utilizing the museum’s rich iconographic resources.
The first five audio guides have been produced, featuring highlights such as the historical Pont Saint-Nicolas and the striking Grosse Tour. Originally shared through the museum’s and the municipality’s social media platforms, these captivating audio guides are now available for broader access on the City’s website, easily reachable through a QR code, ensuring visitors can listen via their smartphones.
Compared to classic audio guides, which often lack personality and engagement, these films—crafted and narrated by enthusiastic middle school students—radiate freshness and creativity. The success of this project promises to continue, as Villeneuve-sur-Yonne offers a plethora of intriguing subjects waiting to be explored in future audio guides.
The editorial staff
**Interview with Arnaud Munsch and Séverine Torres: The Minds Behind the Heritage Points Project**
*Host:* Welcome back to our podcast! Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of audio creativity happening in Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, where fifth graders are turning into history narrators through the Heritage Points project. We have the project’s masterminds with us—teachers Arnaud Munsch and Séverine Torres. Welcome, both of you!
*Arnaud Munsch:* Thank you for having us!
*Séverine Torres:* It’s great to be here!
*Host:* Let’s start with the inspiration behind the Heritage Points project. What motivated you to choose audio guides as a learning tool for your students?
*Séverine Torres:* We wanted to break the traditional mold of learning. Textbooks can often feel lifeless, and we saw a unique opportunity to engage students in a dynamic way. By producing audio guides, they get to explore and narrate the history of their own town while developing media literacy skills.
*Arnaud Munsch:* Exactly! We believed that by combining creativity with local history, we could spark a deeper appreciation for their roots. Plus, who doesn’t love a good story?
*Host:* Absolutely! Could you tell us a bit about how the students created these audio guides? What was the process like?
*Arnaud Munsch:* Certainly! After choosing their landmarks, the students began researching and writing their scripts. They worked alongside our partner, Alexandra Negler, a radio training expert, who guided them through recording techniques. They had to perform their own scripts, which added an element of fun and ownership to the project.
*Séverine Torres:* And let’s not forget the incredible illustrations from Ludivine Bonino-Serrière. She brought a visual dimension to their storytelling, ensuring each audio was matched with vibrant artwork.
*Host:* That’s fantastic! What initial feedback have you received since launching the first set of audio guides?
*Séverine Torres:* The response has been overwhelmingly positive! Parents and community members are thrilled to see the students involved in such an innovative project. People love the energy and freshness these young voices bring to local history.
*Arnaud Munsch:* We’ve been told that instead of feeling like a chore, learning through these guides is enjoyable. It’s gratifying to see their enthusiasm for sharing stories about landmarks like the Pont Saint-Nicolas and the Grosse Tour.
*Host:* Those landmarks are quite charming! So what’s next for the Heritage Points project?
*Arnaud Munsch:* We’re just getting started! There are so many more stories to uncover in Villeneuve-sur-Yonne. The students are excited to keep creating—potentially even producing a podcast!
*Séverine Torres:* We want to keep fostering their creativity and encourage them to think outside the box. There’s a vast treasure trove of history here, and these kids will be the storytellers of the future.
*Host:* It sounds like there are many exciting developments on the horizon! Thank you both for sharing your insights on this remarkable project. It’s wonderful to see young minds bringing history to life in such a creative and engaging way.
*Arnaud Munsch & Séverine Torres:* Thank you for having us!
*Host:* Until next time, keep your ears open, and don’t forget to explore new stories around you!
**[End of Interview]**
