In conversations I have had with the media specialists at my high school in the past, I already knew that they have very little to so with
Despite not being managed by our media specialists, Wildcat TV still operates on a model of collaboration. The students within the class collaborate with other students as well the teacher. In turn, the teacher collaborates with other teachers, the media specialists, as well as the administration. This model of collaboration makes Wildcat TV a program that is informative, instructional, and entertaining. When the administration and teachers wanted to make an effort to improve school culture, they started a program called Random Acts of Kindness or RAK. This program rewards students that do good deeds without any prompting by mailing home gift certificates to grocery stores, restaurants, etc. as a form of recognition. When presented with an opportunity to interview teachers about the RAK program, the students of Wildcat TV instead decided to conduct a video survey of how kind our school really is and broadcast it to the student body as an introduction to the RAK program. Here is the link to the episode: http://www.schooltube.com/video/50846/wctv-Oct-28-2009. You can watch the entire episode (only 8:30 minutes long) or scan immediately to the Random Acts of Kindness clip at minute 4:40. Additionally, Wildcat TV also created a video in-service of sorts to inform students about how to set up their Pinnacle account so that they can view their grades at anytime online. Here is the link to the video in-service: http://www.schooltube.com/video/45212/Pinnacle-SAT-account.
I have to say that I am a huge fan of Wildcat TV. I look forward to watching as much if not more than my homeroom students. I find that it is informative, instructional, and most of all very entertaining. I often embarrass myself with hysterical laughter...
Wow! It sounds like you school is really ahead of others when it comes to school TV production. Really the best case scenario is when you have a production class working on the broadcast. This way students have more time to be active in the broadcast and editing process. Plus, they are learning technology skills which is always a plus. I think making the production available online is an excellent communication means between the school and home. I work in a high school myself, and I can see how it would be hard for parents to know about all of the activities going on at a high school in any given day. The Random Acts of Kindness sounds like a really good program that is being incorporated with the school news!
ReplyDeleteWow! Is your school hiring? haha. only kidding. It sounds like your school has things in order AND props to the video productions teacher. I think that having a class for video productions may be the only way to make it as successful as your school sounds. Maybe that is the reason we see high schools many times have better broadcasts than elementary schools. I love the RAK idea. I have definitely heard of it before, but pairing it with the rewards is such a great idea. Someone has done their research of finding reinforcers that are important to the students.
ReplyDeleteWOW again, now that I have watched the 8 min clip from wildcat tv. I now see why you have embarrassed yourself with the laughter. I would do the same. Very impressed! GO WILDCATS! :)
Having the announcements as a class has to be incredibly beneficial! My school has a yearbook class, and I have heard that without this class the yearbook is almost too much to handle. I believe allowing students to work together (and learn) on this production has to be a win-win situation. Our school has used something they call "a random number of greatness" which is a random drawing of a student number. (They only show the last four digits.) This has engaged students, but I'm wondering if something like the RAK idea would be even more engaging. Thanks for sharing links to the broadcast.
ReplyDeleteWow Rob! Reading about the News broadcast at your school makes me very jealous! I love the fact that it can be accessed by parents. We have a daily newscast at our school, but I think the big difference is that ours is not tied to a class. The Student Council Advisor is in charge of it, but basically all he does is select the people to be part of the "Tribe Vibe Crew" and then the media specialist is in charge of the actual show. The Advisor never even comes in. Unfortunately, because it is not connected to a class, there is nothing to motivate the students to do a really good job and there is really nothing to hold over their heads if they don't. The students never seem prepared and on some days it almost seems like a joke. I do feel that having news, daily announcements, etc. presented by students is a great idea, but I think it is only successful when connected to a class or at least connected to maybe a club or something that can teach appropriate formats, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt is very refreshing to read of a school that is so eager to offer students opportunities. Experiences like these cannot necessarily be created in the classroom. Offering students an opportunity to be creative and the resources to produce a successful product helps to develop quality character. Neither the Middle nor the high schools where I have volunteered offer a news program. Each morning the principal comes on the intercom, says the pledge to the flag and follows up with a few brief announcements. While the students sit quietly, I have found that students and teachers alike tune out the monotone voice they hear each day. School’s like yours should be recognized and encouraged for the service they offer the students.
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