The elementary school where I work, Ila Elementary School, uses a video distribution system every day. Our media specialist and paraprofessional record a daily news-show each afternoon that features different children and announcements and then broadcast the show the next morning. We do have the technology to produce live news-shows for broadcast, but our media specialist finds it more convenient for her to record it in the afternoons. Our video distribution system contains 3 channels. One channel is reserved for our daily news show, and the other two channels are used to broadcast movies from the media center. Teachers can sign up for a time when they want a video to be broadcasted, and the media specialist will show the movie on one of the two distribution channels. Also, our school receives television through Dish Network, and we only have one satellite receiver for the entire school. Thus, only one channel can be viewed at a time in all classrooms. Our media specialist usually lets the channel remain on the Georgia Public Broadcasting channel.
Speaking of Georgia Public Broadcasting, I believe this is a great, free resource that is very underused. Thankfully, my school system does not have this website blocked, unlike many other sites I would like to use. Georgia Public Broadcasting is much more than just a TV channel and radio station. The education section has many useful resources for teachers. The most well-known aspect of this resource is United Streaming. I use United Streaming at least weekly in my classroom. There are not only videos about all different topics, there are also sample lesson plans, blackline masters, writing prompts, and my school actually bought an extra feature, Discovery Education Science, which I use very often in my science class. One of the resource I found that seems very interesting is the Digital Library. This contains different features, such as "Cover to Cover," a monthly book club that features Georgia authors. Also, The University of West Georgia has contributed a political heritage section. This is a very interesting collection of interviews with prominent Georgia figures discussing Georgia's history. There is a section about chemistry and physics and "Salsa," a program to teach Spanish to students. The Georgia Stories seems to be a great resource for history classes. It includes podcasts, articles, field trip ideas, and curriculum standards correlations. I believe all Georgia history teachers should explore this website. Georgia Public Broadcasting is a great, free resource for Georgia citizens, and I believe educators should use it to their advantage.
Having the media specialist playing the videos for teachers seems would add stress to an already stressed, multitasking queen, media specialist. With many counties in Georgia losing the media clerk, this leaves the media specialist in charge of the circulation desk, collaborating, pulling books for teachers, working with parents, helping students find books, and also doing all the behind the scenes activities and adding being in charge of an entire schools daily videos seems to be asking a lot. But on the same hand, if videos being broadcast for all classrooms to see, it would be great if teams planned together they could all be watching the same video during the same time versus having to share the video and it possibly taking 3 – 5 days for all classrooms to see the same video. In my opinion, having teachers request videos would for all to see would keep the videos more educationally based versus time fillers.
ReplyDeleteIt’s good to hear your media specialist is using the distribution system daily and has made it convenient for herself so it’s a more enjoyable process. I imagine though that teachers aren’t too keen on letting their students leave to room and miss instruction to record their morning broadcast.
Sara-
ReplyDeleteBeing from the same school and understanding the broadcast process, you described it well. I think as Media Cast is updated and used more braodcasting will be less accessed or requested by teachers. I like the use of students and classrooms in the news show each morning. The students get such a kick out of it, especially the ones who have "purchased air time" with their positive behavior tickets.
Another comments I agree with the the underuse of GPB. I sometimes don't think teachers have the time to really know what all is out there. I am grateful in our filtered/blocked world that united streaming and the other resources of GPB is accessible.
I didn't realize how much there was available at Georgia Public Broadcasting. I have used United Streaming on many occasions and love the videos available. I had glanced through the other resources briefly but I missed a lot. I will be looking at the site more carefully. The expression "work smarter, not harder" comes to mind as I think on all the resources that are available on the site.
ReplyDeleteHaving the media specialist play the movies for all of the teachers just sounds like a possibility for a logistical nightmare. Juggling the videos when there are many that need to be played sounds like quite an undertaking. At my school every room has a VHS/DVD player so every teacher can run their own videos. The teacher laptops also have DVD capabilities. The media specialist does have the ability to play videos over the system and does for Red Ribbon Week or Character Education.
Sara-
ReplyDeleteI just recently discovered GPS's "Georgia Stories." It is an awesome resource! The website states that it is designed to supplement the 8th grade Social Studies curriculum, but I think it's appropriate and useful for a variety of grade levels. The site offers 73 audio podcasts and numerous video clips. Video clips are around 10 minutes long. Video and podcast topics include- "Georgia Stories," "Biographies," and "This Week in Georgia." Some specific titles include- "King Cotton and the Cotton Gin" and "Dr. Crawford Long's Painless Operation." Teacher Resources and Student Study Guides are also available, but users must register for a name and password to access these.
Recording the news broadcast on the previous day probably allows the media specialist to make a better production. However, letting the children be involved in the production might make it more meaningful to them. At my school, fourth and fifth graders are allowed to try out for broadcast team. The students are scheduled to be part of the broadcast each quarter of school. The students do anything from run the cameras to being a reporter. This could also be gateway for someone who is interested in news and reporting. I agree that GPB is a great resource for students and teachers. There are many tools that are provided on the internet site that cannot be used at school because the site is blocked.
ReplyDelete