Technology Training in Schools

Technology training in schools today is a must! Teachers need to be updated on the newest technology equipment or resources. At the school where I volunteer the teachers need a lot of assistance in different areas when they use the computers in the media center. That is why it is the media specialist's responsibility to conduct workshops for them. She/he could have a technical person to come in from the county to implement this. The media specialist may have a full plate to do it herself. Technology staff developments would not be a waste of time. This would be an asset to any school. Technology is integrated into the curriculum to engage student's learning. Students are more interested and focused when teachers introduce technology projects to them. This takes students to another level when learning. Technology in the schools helps teachers to become more proficient and effective at their jobs. The web site www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr176.shtml discusses how teachers should be trained to use a computer, and how to integrate technology into the curriculum. Once technology is mastered by teachers and students both of them could move forward in life. Schools would be established and known for developing high achievers.

Video Distribution System in our school

Our video distribution system has been used very limitedly. For one, unfortunately at my school, we have yet to get started with our morning broadcast via video. That is one of the main ways that we use our video distribution system. Also from time to time, the system is used to broadcast videos schoolwide; for example for school assemblies and awareness videos. We recently conducted a fundraiser for leukemia patients and the video distribution system was used to broadcast a cartoon schoolwide. The system is also used to share the Principal’s Book of the Month. During special PTA programs, performances are broadcast schoolwide so that the teachers and students waiting in the classrooms for their time to get on stage won't miss any of the production.
Concerning GPB...this has been such a chaotic year for us thus far that I doubt if any of our teachers, including myself, remember that to use GBP. In the past, however, we have been able to view GPB sponsored videos by letting the media specialist know the title of the video and at what time we would be in place to view it. This would sometimes conflict with other classes who may also want to view a video via closed circuit T.V. This became a first come, first served service because there wasn’t a set procedure for this

School TV News/ Video Distribution

At the school where I volunteer they do use the video Distribution system. The media specialist uses the system to show video’s for certain grade levels at a specific time. For example, last week they had (ADAD) Alcohol and Drug Awareness Conference, during this week they played anti drug video from the media center. The classes could tune in at a certain time to watch the videos. In addition during the big celebration on Friday they had a famous singer to come in and surprise the 4th – 6th graders. Since the younger students were not allowed to attend they broadcasted it to their class rooms. In addition, at times videos will be broadcasted from the media center when it is requested by class room teachers. The media center does not conduct morning announcements over the Television but uses the PA system. Throughout the day the time is displayed on channel four so the whole school is on the same time schedule.

School News and GPB Resources

At my school TV news is done on a daily basis by the media specialists. Everyone is tuned in to Channel One Network at noon. This network was bought by Dekalb County Schools. Every school is able to show this network. This channel shares news with teens that inspires conversations between teens and peers, teens and parents, and teens and educators. It is a student news broadcast which captures high school students attention. Furthermore, this channel trains and informs student's on today's issues, politics, and interviews. Channel One has a history of training teens how to become journalists. It provides a web sites, http://www.channelonenetwork.com/ to enhance guided discussions between educators, students, and parents. The students at my school really enjoy viewing this station. They are provided with critical thinking strategies which is a lifelong skill.

Georgia Public Broadcasting resources are used as an integration into teachers' lesson plans at my school. For example, many teachers use United Streaming to download videos for their class whenever they are implementing a specific lesson. Also teachers are using podcasts for students to create oral book reviews. Georgia Public Broadcasting Digital Library is a great place to find resources in audio/media. Teachers are using http://www.georgiastandards.org/ to create their lessons to line up with Georgia Department of Education curriculum. These are all outstanding collaborative tools to help teachers and students to become successful in education.

MMS Morning News

The MMS news is presented every day before first period. It is a live news broadcast aired on TV channel 6. It is produced by the media specialist and performed by students who are selected by teacher recommendations, student applications, and auditions. The content includes lunch menu, A/B day, athletic events and scores, special events, pledge, featured student birthday recognitions. Students are rotated quarterly. Our media technology committee is currently reviewing the content and may incorporate my drama classes in the broadcast. The distribution is through CCTV. Occasionally movies are broadcast. Specials concerning some holidays, Black History, and Cinco de Mao are just some of the special features. Both teachers and students may submit content to be aired pending the principal’s approval. Our school takes full advantage of PeachStar United Streaming and Safari Montage. Paul

Social Networking...in the schools

Social networking....I mean don't students socialize enough in school already? Isn't that part of the problems in our schools today?These types of online "programs" or tools should be restricted to at home, after homework is completed time. I do think MySpace and You Tube could be excellent teaching and sharing tools, but they've been taken in a totally different direction. School officials have long since realized this and have blocked these sites from school computer access.
I know this is the position that most have taken regarding this issue, but as I mentioned earlier MySpace and You Tube could be used to teach and impart knowledge. Students could share math strategies; become homework helpers using YouTube especially. Teachers could basically do the same things; record mini-videos that students can access at home when they are stuck on homework or project assignments. Book reviews, oracles, and other types of presentations could be shared in a non-threatening way.

social networking in schools

I believe that social networking sites are tools best limited to out of school hours. They are too difficult to supervise. Now, there may be some way to restrict access to members only and in the case they would be okay. The main reason for not allowing them is to prevent predators and bullies from entering our schools via the internet. My school filters out sites such as MySpace and YouTube. Students are able to access their e-mail on Yahoo and Google but this is only a recent change to our internet policy. I searched for examples of sites that are geared to improving reading skills. I found a good article at http://www.ll4schools.co.uk/ that talks about a safe social networking site designed specifically for schools. It’s worth taking a peak at. Paul