Information is
communicated through a variety of different methods in a school, but some of
the most commonly used are as follows: video distribution systems, GA Public
Broadcasting Education Resources, and the School TV News. My school currently
uses GA Public Broadcasting Resources; specifically Discovery Streaming, and
Media Cast on a continual basis. About six years ago, we did utilize a closed
circuit cable system that school news would be reported on by students once a
week and teachers could show videos using this closed circuit system. This went
away though and we have never looked back.
The video distribution
systems like GA Public Broadcasting Resources (Discovery Streaming) have so
much to offer. Using VHS tapes and DVD’s quickly became resources that were not
high in demand due to the vast amount of content found online. Teachers can
find resources grouped by grade level, content area, and even professional development
materials. All the videos I have ever used in my reading and language arts
classes have been valuable additions to my lessons and really helped to
emphasize the content being taught. My school does hold a purchasing license
that costs $360 per year that enables teachers to show movies outside of these
locations. If teachers find a video that they want to purchase, a few TV’s on
rolling carts can be used or the media specialist can play the video using the
old closed circuit method.
While watching videos and
having access to many videos has improved, my school did not keep up with the
School TV News. After we switched to the new video distribution systems, school
news seemed to fall to the wayside. I miss it and I think the kids do too; or
they used to because now those students have moved on to the high school or
graduated. I think school news gives students a chance to share information and
to be a part of the school community. If you have time, visit the following
links to view an elementary school and high school news broadcast. The students
report on topics from weather, school functions, and conduct teacher interviews.
They use student reporters with well-prepared scripts, popular music, and well-designed
and thought out backgrounds for the news reports. I think School TV News is a
much better way to share information than simply announcing news over the
loudspeaker each day. Students learn about technology and communicating
simultaneously. Some may put school news to the side because of time
restraints, but with the right students and possible teacher assistance; I’m
sure it could be a manageable task.
I think our kids would miss the morning announcements, too. At the beginning of this year, the announcements were still played on the closed circuit but after January, every teacher got a projector so now the media specialist streams it on ustream.tv. My students actually remind me to play it every morning. At a high school that I volunteered at, they showed the morning announcements on all the TVs in the school throughout the day. There's not audio... I think it was done through PowerPoint and this way, students could check reminders every day. I think this was super helpful for the seniors especially because they have so many deadlines, payments, and dates to remember in that last year.
ReplyDeleteWe also use Discovery Streaming a lot in the classrooms. It is definitely a valuable resource. I wish we had more streaming video capabilities. Right now our streaming video is very limited due to our firewalls.
ReplyDeleteWe also have a closed circuit network that can be used to show a DVD or VHS school wide, but it is rarely utilized since all classrooms have an ActivBoard. I do hope I can find a program that would allow us to stream live video over the ActivBoards.
Our school does not use school news right now, but as we make the transition to a K-12 campus I am hopeful that we can start a morning news broadcast program with some high school students. Once the high school students are proficient in the technology aspects of the program I will bring in younger students that they can teach and tutor. Hopefully this will turn into a productive mentor program for our younger students.
Like Jennifer, I am also amazed by the number and variety of videos that are so useful in the classroom. Streaming video can eat up a lot of bandwidth, so I think a school would have to have a solid network for everyone to use it. My kids' high school also showed the daily announcements all day on the TVs, as Brittany mentioned, and they did indeed find it to be a good reminder/reference.
ReplyDeleteSchool news broadcasts produced by students are a great way to build a sense of community, instill self-confidence, and teach important skills.