'Help! How do I explain student finance to 16,000 kids at a rock concert?' blog

bylromarha

First off, the trust organising this concert need to learn the appropriate use of the term "Rock"

I know you don't like music much, but you'll need to get on their musical wave length and talk about the acts they're waiting for, putting them into a relevant context regarding money. Graphics of the stars that've been photoshopped in a relevant way.

Maybe if you give us the 3 main points you want them to hear we could be a bit more creative?

phone_angel

Throw £1 coins at the audience then tell them that's what you are doing if you don't manage your finances properly.

phone_angel

Throw £1 coins at the audience then tell them that's what you are doing if you don't manage your finances properly.

penarthian

Every member of your audience will have a mobile phone so use it to get your message across. Have your contact details on display and then all your messages can be accessed by individuals. Offer incentives for their contacts with you, prizes can be in all sorts of forms but maybe a free drink with a code displayed on their phone. Once they have your details they can view them anytime after the event.

flimsier

I'm taking 50 of our kids to this as a reward/ aimhigher thing (actually I think it's 50 including the staff). They already know your role and that you're being paid to sell the new student finance, because we teach them to research the messenger and the provenance of the message. They have already had a discussion (today) about you being a representative of the government, and why the government would want to sell it. As we teach them critical thinking, they'll be discussing what you say on the coach home I would imagine.

My advice to you; stop thinking ideas that patronise them. They hate being patronised. They're not 7.

whitewing

I'm glad you asked the question as it has made me realise how wrong my understanding of student finance was. (The weekly email helped too). I have certainly been privately thinking that there wasn't much point in my DS going to university, even though he has a lot to offer. I'm glad that I have had the understanding now as he is about to embark on his GCSEs so before the decision is taken out of his hands.

Yes, get the message out there to families and grandparents too.

paddyrg

They're kids, all too worried about how they are appearing to each other to see you as anything more than a speedbump on the way to the acts. The talky bit at a gig is always a dud slot, I do not envy you at all. At Live Earth there were some excellent, interesting and slightly nervous speakers - the crowd didn't listen to a word, they all wanted Madonna, just Madonna. The speakers were percieved as an obstacle to get to Madonna, despite the fact that timings were decided long long in advance and show designed with the talky bits in mind. So - keep it short, relax, be natural and passionate but !!!!!! do not try to 'be yoof' - they will be neutral to your message as opposed to hostile that way. And the QR code idea is brilliant, do that!