[Melissa Sykes]

I saw your post and I’m in the same boat as you. I’m currently teaching a Broadcasting class for the first time at a school right outside of Charlotte. I have no experience teaching a media class, and our “school news” program basically consists of students reading a blown up Microsoft Word file off a TV that we rigged up. We have 3 cameras that we use for stationary shots that have no batteries or Firewire capabilities. The video feeds then travel via wires to a downstairs storage area where I have 2 computers set up, an audio board, a graphics mixer that has broken buttons, and a video mixer with a pilot lever for camera transitions. We run the graphics through Powerpoint and then rig the shots and key out the green with the mixer to have graphics. Currently, we can play music from the other computer, but any accompanying video that we want to include flies somewhere far away and we can’t find it. We pre-tape the news using a VHS TV/VCR combo and then play back the VHS on a VCR that broadcasts to school televisions.

My principal said she’d give me money (about $3,000 – a HUGE sum!) to try and get some updated equipment so that we can develop new broadcasts that show the awesomeness of our school. Ideally, we’d like to be able to get the kids to want to go to school functions/games and videotape stuff because they know we will then show their footage on the news. While one half of the class is taping the news, I’d love to have the other class working on character education video projects or “club spotlights” that could be included in the news. I also want to give them the opportunity to learn the editing software so they are advancing their exposure to technology. The goal is to get to the point where the students can actually take cameras and do little skit tapings of the daily announcements, edit them into “mini packages,” and then bring them all together into one broadcast to form the news – things like teacher announcements, what’s for lunch, football game footage, etc. The admin also wants us to be able to show our production via the internet and through the school television system.

I met with the tech facilitator for the county who told me about the Adobe School package and Adobe Premier Elements which is already on the “new” Dell computers this year (Dell Optiplex 780). No one in the school knows the program and the tech facilitator suggested we also purchase Visual Communicator as a teleprompting software that allows for other effects. I have 90 minutes and 25 kids in my class, but we’re hoping the program will grow.

We currently have two older flip cameras to tape video. I was thinking about getting one or two “nicer” cameras to keep in the school for in-school filming and using whatever money is left to get some flip cameras or something the kids can take with them to games and sign out overnight. I also wanted to get a microphone and maybe some tripods or lights. I will have to teach myself the software so I need cameras that are compatible but can still provide a wide range of levels. I am proficient with computers in “daily needs” programs/wiring and can self teach software, but I am not a specialist. I have a Mac, but haven’t had the time to fool around with video editing.

This will probably be the only opportunity I have to get any technology for the class for awhile. I eventually want to have the Broadcasting 1 students focus solely on learning an editing software and then have Broadcasting 2 be in charge of the news once they are able to edit proficiently. It would also be great down the line to have Broadcasting 3 and 4 students progress to where they focus on creating community documentaries or public access videos. The caveat to all of this is that I am able to teach them how to do all this and have the proper equipment.

I’m seriously out of my league, but the kids actually are into the class because it’s hands-on right now and I want to make sure I do what’s best for them. I also really love teaching kids who are so into video, and I’d love to learn and build the Broadcasting program. Any suggestions on technology or a plan for what to purchase would be greatly appreciated! I’m running out of time and I’m afraid if I don’t make a decision soon, the money will go towards something else. HELP!

Thanks!

Melissa Sykes

[Melissa Sykes]

Hi Del-

I saw your post and that you were in Charlotte and I had to contact you. I’m currently teaching a Broadcasting class for the first time at a school right outside of Charlotte. I have no experience teaching a media class, and our “school news” program basically consists of students reading a blown up Microsoft Word file off a TV that we rigged up. We have 3 cameras that we use for stationary shots that have no batteries or Firewire capabilities. The video feeds then travel via wires to a downstairs storage area where I have 2 computers set up, an audio board, a graphics mixer that has broken buttons, and a video mixer with a pilot lever for camera transitions. We run the graphics through Powerpoint and then rig the shots and key out the green with the mixer to have graphics. Currently, we can play music from the other computer, but any accompanying video that we want to include flies somewhere far away and we can’t find it. We pre-tape the news using a VHS TV/VCR combo and then play back the VHS on a VCR that broadcasts to school televisions.

My principal said she’d give me money (about $3,000 – a HUGE sum!) to try and get some updated equipment so that we can develop new broadcasts that show the awesomeness of our school. Ideally, we’d like to be able to get the kids to want to go to school functions/games and videotape stuff because they know we will then show their footage on the news. While one half of the class is taping the news, I’d love to have the other class working on character education video projects or “club spotlights” that could be included in the news. I also want to give them the opportunity to learn the editing software so they are advancing their exposure to technology. The goal is to get to the point where the students can actually take cameras and do little skit tapings of the daily announcements, edit them into “mini packages,” and then bring them all together into one broadcast to form the news – things like teacher announcements, what’s for lunch, football game footage, etc. The admin also wants us to be able to show our production via the internet and through the school television system.

I met with the tech facilitator for the county who told me about the Adobe School package and Adobe Premier Elements which is already on the “new” Dell computers this year (Dell Optiplex 780). No one in the school knows the program and the tech facilitator suggested we also purchase Visual Communicator as a teleprompting software that allows for other effects. I have 90 minutes and 25 kids in my class, but we’re hoping the program will grow.

We currently have two older flip cameras to tape video. I was thinking about getting one or two “nicer” cameras to keep in the school for in-school filming and using whatever money is left to get some flip cameras or something the kids can take with them to games and sign out overnight. I also wanted to get a microphone and maybe some tripods or lights. I will have to teach myself the software so I need cameras that are compatible but can still provide a wide range of levels. I am proficient with computers in “daily needs” programs/wiring and can self teach software, but I am not a specialist. I have a Mac, but haven’t had the time to fool around with video editing.

This will probably be the only opportunity I have to get any technology for the class for awhile. I eventually want to have the Broadcasting 1 students focus solely on learning an editing software and then have Broadcasting 2 be in charge of the news once they are able to edit proficiently. It would also be great down the line to have Broadcasting 3 and 4 students progress to where they focus on creating community documentaries or public access videos. The caveat to all of this is that I am able to teach them how to do all this and have the proper equipment.

I’m seriously out of my league, but the kids actually are into the class because it’s hands-on right now and I want to make sure I do what’s best for them. I also really love teaching kids who are so into video, and I’d love to learn and build the Broadcasting program. Any suggestions on technology or a plan for what to purchase would be greatly appreciated! I’m running out of time and I’m afraid if I don’t make a decision soon, the money will go towards something else. HELP!

Thanks for all your techieness!

Melissa Sykes
melissamiller88@hotmail.com