lmc berlin report

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Louis Davy Lancaster & Morecambe College Berlin 2016

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Report from a student visit to Berlin from Lancaster & Morecambe College

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Page 1: LMC Berlin Report

Louis Davy

Lancaster & Morecambe College

Berlin2016

Page 2: LMC Berlin Report

Lancaster & Morecambe College

Music and Media Higher Education Visit

2016

Trip OrganisersLouis Davy

Kevin Clark-Patterson

Berlin

Page 3: LMC Berlin Report

Tuesday 1st March

Travel - Computerspielemuseum - Zollpackhof

Wednesday 2nd March

Hansa Studios - Pizza Factory - Erik Truffaz

Thursday 3rd March

East Gallery Wall Walk - DDR Museum - Altes - Hard Rock Cafe

Friday 4th March

Game Science Center - Checkpoint Charlie - Bonus Night!

Saturday 5th March

Return to... Luton?!2

Report InfoThe purpose of this report is to gather information about the Berlin Trip from the students and provide some feedback for the college about the trip and some possible marketing material following the visit. It is hoped that the trip can become an annual event and that this document can help demonstrate the value of the visit. Following the trip a survey was created and completed by 14 of the 15 students (one has been struck down by Berlin Flu!) The report contains direct quotes and feedback taken from the survey which is available as a complete document on request.

FeedbackEach activity was graded using the following scale:

1 - Excellent2 - Good3 - OK4 - Disappointing5 - Very Disappointing

From the feedback an average score is given - the lower the better!

A few quotes from the student survey are also provided to add context with each activity.

Itinerary

Page 4: LMC Berlin Report

3

TravelHaving agreed to meet at 0245 for a prompt 0300 departure we were slightly delayed by one student who “heard quarter to three and thought you meant 0345”... fortunately that is why we built some time into the travel arrangements and we were able to make Manchester Airport in good time. Paper work was handed out, emergency contact numbers distributed and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack was discussed.

Once we arrived in Berlin and we had our pre-booked travel cards we made the short train journey to Berlin Central Station (all of 30 seconds walk from our Hotel). Check in was quick, we had a short break to recover and we then hopped back on a train to set out for the Computerspielmuseum, with a small detour to collect tickets for Wednesday nights gig which gave us opportunity to take in the sights.

Computerspielemuseum

The Computer Game Museum managed to keep everyone on their toes (in large part due to the Pain Station - a sadistic version of Pong!) For some reason everyone wanted to play

against the tutors... The feedback from the students was really positive.

Student feedback

“I’m an avid gamer so it was amazing to play games from my childhood, also the Pain Station was so much fun!”

“Good range of interactive exhibits. Seeing many ancient artefacts from my childhood!”

“Pain.”

Rating 1.43

1st March

Tuesday

Some strong self-editing!

Page 5: LMC Berlin Report

4

ZollpackhofHaving returned to the hotel and freshened up it was decided that we would try and find a restaurant nearby that might be able to feed us as a group. Surprisingly this wasn’t too hard. We ate as a group at a traditional German restaurant by the river, a great long table and roaring open fire. Not everyone was so struck by their first taste of sauerkraut but it was good to see everyone getting stuck in and trying something new. The meal really gave the group an opportunity to bond and set the tone for the trip - a new experience shared with open and like minded company.

Student feedback

“It felt authentic and was a new experience for me, exactly what I was hoping for.”

“Very good! Brilliant opportunity to eat traditional German food and drink. Great bonding.”

“I enjoyed having traditional German food, which added to the experience.”

Rating 1.64The walk to Computerspielemuseum took in some really interesting sights.

Page 6: LMC Berlin Report

5

BreakfastThe group all met over breakfast where gallons of coffee and loaves stuffed with cheese and ham were devoured to fill us up for the long day ahead. The students had a couple of hours free time in the morning, most choosing to explore the local area. It turns out we were located 10 minutes walk from the Reichstag and a few of us had a stroll across the river to an adjoining sculpture park where we also discovered a bell tower that the HND students who were collecting audio samples for a computer music composition were particularly grateful for finding.

Hansa Studios TourThe tour of Hansa Studios by our guide Thilo was excellent. We began outside the building with some background information, explaining how the main live room was known as “the hall by the wall”, the history of the building, the artists who have re-corded there and the producers who have, and still do, work there. It was all fairly awe inspiring! We visited Studio 1 and listened to Heroes being played back where it was recorded, along with a selection of Depeche Mode and Iggy Pop tracks, one student was able to perform on the house piano (just a

baby Steinway!) The studio were really pleased with the way the students conducted themselves and mentioned a discount recording rate that we could look into for next year if we can run the trip again. The publicity of our students recording at such an illustrious studio seems like too good an opportunity to let it pass by.

Student feedback

“Incredible experience. Goosebumps.”

“Amazing experience, something I'll remember for a very long time.”

“Bowie!”

Rating 1.00 (Perfect score!)

Pizza FactoryAnother table for 17 was negotiated for a quick evening meal before heading to the evening concert. The pizzas were huge and pretty good, plus the fact it split the journey from the hotel to the train station made it an obvious choice.

Student feedback

“Very nice, and a great opportunity to bond with the rest of the group.”

2nd March

Wednesday

Page 7: LMC Berlin Report

6

“The best aspect was getting to know the other courses students better.”

Rating 1.86

Erik Truffaz Quartet (plus Qeaux Qeaux Jones)

@ Gruner SalonThe concert was held across Berlin in a really cool little venue, about the same size as The Yorkshire House. Knowing that many of the students had never been to a jazz gig before and that I was the only one to have heard of Erik Truffaz before the trip meant I was slightly apprehensive about how the concert would go down. The students loved it though, most of them bought the album, met the band and asked some really intelligent questions, got autographs and waxed lyrical on the tube back to the hotel. It really was a brilliant concert made all the more enjoyable by sharing the experience with such a great group of students.

Student feedback

“Experiencing something that in every day life I would never have the opportunity to.”

“I enjoyed the fact that I was shocked by how good Erik Truffaz was and I was amazed by the drummer. From going to this gig it has opened my mind to a different genre of music.”

“Everything, best gig I've been to in a while!”

“First concert of this kind and I found it unbelievable. Absolutely loved it!”

“The music was brilliant, the experience is general was terrific.”

Rating 1.07

1 of 11

The Carilion.

Erik Truffaz Quartet

Page 8: LMC Berlin Report

7

East Gallery Berlin Wall WalkThursday morning saw us make the trip to the East Gallery. It was really interesting to see how the students reacted to the wall. The group by their own admission aren’t the most politically aware, or artistically conscious but the response was really pleasing.

Student feedback

“A real eye opener. The art was great brain food.”

“Humbling.”

“The Berlin wall was amazing! So glad I got the opportunity to see it.”

Rating 1.43

DDR MuseumAnother eye opening trip for the students, the museum was a good interactive experience in an excellent location that gave us all a much better view of life in East Berlin before the fall of the wall.

Student feedback

“I loved learning about the history behind the Berlin Wall and it was also really interactive”

“Learning about things I didn't really even consider before.”

“I love history and this gave more of an insight on what life was like back then and why.”

Rating 1.86

Altes Greek and Roman MuseumWhile posing for a group photo we realised that we were right next to the Altes Museum so we asked how much it would be for a group of 15 students and 2 staff. They gave us a form to fill in and welcomed us for free! You don’t ask, you don’t get!

Student feedback

“This museum was insane, some of the things which were on display were mind boggling.”

“I've been reading up on the Greeks and Romans for a while now and it was amazing to see all the amazing things.”

3rd March

Thursday

Page 9: LMC Berlin Report

8

“Beautiful museum with some interesting displays. I learnt a lot.”

Rating 1.71

Hard Rock CafeUnfortunately the meal didn’t match the memorabilia - the only experience on the trip that left the group feeling slightly under-whelmed.

Student feedback

“The food was great, and seeing old instruments used by fa-mous musicians”

“The memorabilia was insane to look at but the food was cold in some cases although it was also very nice food.”

“I enjoyed eating an enormous Legendary Burger while listen-ing to Prince”

Rating 2.64

3 of 11

Some of these are statues. After 3 days of walking we felt we added to them.

Page 10: LMC Berlin Report

9

Free MorningFor what was supposed to be our final morning it was decided to give the students some time off for good behaviour. A few went to the Salvador Dali museum, others chose to find food, and another group visited the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. We also discovered a whole host of museums that would be excellent additions to the itinerary for next year.

Game Science CenterThe Game Science Center was an excellent exhibition of inter-active futuristic games, fusing DIY ethic with the hi-tech. Games ranged from the addictive one-dimensional light game, to the shoot ‘em up triggered by your eye movement, the music making machine triggered by your dance movements (fortunately we aren’t a shy bunch!) to the futuristic electronic musical instrument/interface Reactable (I tried to sneak one on a resource bid a few years ago - it costs €13,500 and was swiftly removed!)

Student feedback

“This had some brilliant installations, I particularly enjoyed the interactive music displays and LED light game.”

“This has made me very excited about the future of games and their interactive musical applications.”

“Experiencing the different types of technology on hand, particularly the Oculus Rift.”

Rating 1.43

BombshellJust as we started thinking about collecting our belongings to head back to the hotel and make our way to the airport we received the news that our flight had been cancelled due to a smattering of snow in Manchester. Fortunately the group took the news pretty well and we tried to make light of the situation (helped by the giant political mural we found on our way back!) Travelbound were great at letting us know how to proceed so we headed to the airport as planned to attempt to arrange a flight for 17 back to the UK. Our options were Manchester on Sunday or Luton on Saturday. We opted to tick ‘visit Luton’ off our collective bucket list and transferred to our airport hotel. Had we known the marble clad, air conditioned fine dining expe-rience that awaited us we may have opted for a Sunday return after all! The hotel was great, the management really looked af-ter us and they also allowed Paul ‘Nigel’ Whitelaw to indulge with a piano recital before dinner. Luxury!

4th March

Friday

Page 11: LMC Berlin Report

10

Political art?!

Face tracking technology.

Our HE Music student composition using Reactable.

Page 12: LMC Berlin Report

11

Early startAn early start for the group to make our flight back to Luton where we were met by Travellers Choice. After 5 looooooong days it was hard to believe that the trip was over. Despite most people wanting to sleep it seemed impossible. The group had really bonded and it was quite sad for it to be over. We made a brief stop on the motorway for a comfort break and realising that many of the group had run out of money we decided to take a leaf out of the Principals book and provide a selection of Krispy Kreme Donuts - just enough sugar to get us home! We finally got back to college at 4.30pm and said our goodbyes, shattered, changed, revitalised. We all agreed that we would do it all again in a heartbeat.

5th March

Saturday

Spot the ‘serious’ musicians! (Berlin NOT Luton)

Page 13: LMC Berlin Report

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Has the trip changed your perception of... (Select all that apply)

Music - 8Media/Games/Technology - 7Travel - 6Europe/Germany/Berlin - 13College - 3

“Music because after going to the Erik Truffaz gig I am really really into Jazz. Berlin because at first I didn't think the city would be as beautiful as it was but after going my photo gallery is now full. College because I feel I have bonded with everyone on the course (HNC and HND) and I the trip allowed me to bond with my tutors a lot more which in return makes college and lessons more fun.”

“Music - feel a lot more appreciative (esp. for Jazz) and slightly more educated. Also spending time with people so passionate made me excited and love it even more so. Travel - who you are with plays a massive part in the experience. Europe/Gemany/Berlin - always more to learn/discover. College - not initially knowing people before I came wasn't a fear but I was aware it had the potential to be isolating, however the people I shared the experience with were awesome and welcoming. It

gave me an insight into another department's community and I felt part of it for the time away.”

“Despite not being music related, the gaming museums were among my favourites of the trip as they allowed us to get hands on and learn in the process of interaction.”

“It's made me see things in a different perspective and it has also made me aware of different cultures.”

Overall how would you rate the LMC HE Music & Media Ber-lin Trip 2016?

13 Excellent 1 Good

Having been on the LMC HE Music & Media Berlin Trip 2016, would you recommend the trip to others?

14 Yes

Having been on the LMC HE Music & Media Berlin Trip 2016, would you recommend your course to others?

13 Yes 1 Maybe

Final Feedback

Page 14: LMC Berlin Report

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Quotes

“Massive thanks to Louis and Kev for making it possible! Learnt so much and could have done with a couple more days!”

“I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I'm so glad I came! I had a brilliant time with some brilliant people, at some pretty amaz-ing places! Huge thanks to Louis and Kev!”

“An unreal trip!”

“I loved every second of the trip, I learnt so much and got to know so much about my peers than I normally would in college. The group camaraderie was especially fantastic.”

“This trip was truly inspirational. The history and culture at-tached to Berlin make it a fantastic place to visit. I feel hon-oured to have visited Hansa studios, the birthplace of many of my favourite albums.”

“The trip was exciting and we had different activities to do every-day. I also loved being able to learn new things and going to dif-ferent places.”

“Summarily, the trip was an enlightening experience that al-lowed me to learn about Berlin and my peers. Subsequently, I feel that I have become closer with people; it was a very fun trip.”

“It was a great time with great people in a great place. And therefore I loved it. Thank you!!”

“The trip was fantastic and awe inspiring.”

“This trip has encapsulated the positives and, by extension, the purpose of education.”

There are certainly lessons that we have learned about trip planning and organisation in this process, and elements that we would undoubtedly change. It has been noted that my beard is now several shades closer to me being able to moonlight as Santa next Christmas. However, the overall mood of the trip, the success of the activities, the camaraderie and en-thusiasm that it sparked in the students is such that I would cer-tainly do it all over again. It has been without doubt the greatest experience of my career at LMC and reminded me of so many of the reasons I got into education in the first place. I consider myself very fortunate to work with these passionate, inquisitive, occasionally challenging, hilarious, sometimes frustrating, engaging and talented students. That they so enjoyed the expe-rience and appreciated everything we did while we were there made the trip even more rewarding.

Heroes