During their live talk show, the Discovery broadcasting team fielded students’ questions from Twitter. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The job demands of Jay Leno and David Letterman are now apparent to Discovery Middle School’s broadcasting team.

The team hosted a live talk show on MediaCAST and answered students’ questions from Twitter.

“Students sent in questions beforehand and during the live show via Twitter,” teacher Caroline Miller said. The team promoted their show on April 23 by posting posters and fliers with sample questions. Teachers had the option to allow students to transmit questions with their smartphones or classroom computers.

“We were brainstorming … and came up with the idea,” student Turner Dauma said. He had trained for MediaCAST. “We did this to test out and inform the students about MediaCAST and to connect to the students in a way that was relevant and entertaining.”

MediaCAST software tools manage digital content and stream TV/video, Miller said. The eight broadcasting students use MediaCAST to deliver live and on-demand multimedia.

“We based it off a show like ‘The View’, with one mediator, but all eight could answer,” Kate McArthur said. In ‘tweets,’ students asked about bullying, favorite songs and sports teams.

The segment demanded responsibility and maturity from students, Miller said. “Anything can happen during a live broadcast. They’re already talking about when they can do it again.”

“More students realize that broadcasting is something that they would like to do now more than ever,” student Antonio Muratori said.

Kennedy Davis said fellow students now realize the full extent of the team’s work. “The talk show gave them better insight on our individual personalities,” Davis said. Sara Baig believes more students will enroll in broadcasting. The team ” received input from other students. (They) learned more about all of us,” Baig said.

To enroll in broadcasting, students must complete an application process. The team handles morning announcements three days each week and “The Panther Report,” a twice-weekly TV show. “The team films and edits special segments, such as a parody video for the popular song ‘Call Me Maybe’ with faculty/staff and student performers,” Miller said.