School TV News Production
An undeniable truth: there are people who are very comfortable with technology and there are people who are extremely daunted by technology (and wish it would just go away). And then there are those of us who fall somewhere in the middle, like myself. The thought of leading production on a school television news program presents itself as an exciting challenge with endless possibilities to those who embrace and excel with technology. To others, the thought produces sweaty palms and possible nausea. For me, in the middle, it is a challenge, but one I know I can meet, although with some trepidation.
Dr. Cooper has provided us with two outstanding examples of student produced news. The first is Pleasant Grove Elementary (http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/pges/knn). Through their gifted program, they produce a weekly news program similar to a weekly news magazine. The second is Southern Columbia Area High School whose goal is to deliver a professional newscast fashioned on real television station news broadcasts (http://www.scasd.us/ms/kelchner/tigernews/index.html). The Southern Columbia Area High School news program is produced daily by twenty-five students. These students give time before and after school, during lunch and during study halls. Both of these examples show students excelling in this endeavor.
I teach in an elementary school and we currently do not produce any type of news production. Our “news” consists of our assistant principal reading morning announcements. Perusing the two examples above, however, has inspired me to pursue possible production within my school. As I ponder this, I have compiled a list of things to consider.
1. As the media specialist, be accommodating. Whoever produces the news, whether it is you, a gifted class, technology class, or some other entity, provide support, equipment, facilities, and most of all encouragement.
2. It’s ok to start small and slow if necessary. Take baby steps and build the production over time. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
3. Today’s students ARE comfortable with technology, even if you are not. It is their news production, let them run with it and just facilitate!
I actually teach in Henry County where Pleasant Grove Elementary is. I had no idea that they did this with their gifted students. At my school, Walnut Creek Elementary, we just had students that were well behaved in the school conduct the morning news. But it was not as put together and thought out as Pleasant Groves. What a great way for students to come together and collaborate on something that has an educational benefit. And for Southern Columbia Area High School to put so much time and effort into their broadcast shows that their students are working hard and using what they know to turn it into something for everyone to learn from. And with students knowing as much if not more than most adults when it comes to technology, they will definitely be of assistants when using technology. With students ability to be knowledgeable in an area such as technology, it helps them to be confident and have high self-esteem and believe in the themselves. This is a great outlet for students to participate in school and stay life long learners through something they enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI think the news program is a great way for students that may have career goals in journalism to experience what they like. I do think it is interesting for the gifted program to produce the news - this would be a great challenge for them - allowing them to explore different types of technology. With that group of students, you can truly let their imaginations run wild. At my school, we form a media club for students that are interested in media and technology - from that club our newscasters and film crew are chosen.
ReplyDeleteIt has been interesting to read and find out the range and scope of school TV news production that is occurring in Georgia schools.
ReplyDeleteI worked at an elementary schools where the gifted teacher organized the morning TV show. However, all 6th grade students who were interested got to participate. It was a really great opportunity for those students with interest. I think the use of a school TV News production is a great outreach program for the SLMC. I do like the idea of having many students involved not just a select group.
I really like having students produce and run a TV news production. I actually ran the "Morning Show" at the school I just left. It is not as scary as you think. Although my principal was a huge advocate for the gifted program, she did not want the morning show to be exclusive. It was a little more difficult, and a little less "together", but we actually rotated the news crew every two weeks and every fifth grader that wanted a chance to participate got it. There are some students that really love this kind of stuff and because they are not strong academically never get the chance to participate.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the Kids News Network (Pleasant Grove Elementary) website. They go into great detail about their news program and how it is produced. They even give a sample script and a technical script to assist anyone in creating their own program. There are also numerous resources that are great such as their listing of websites that gives ideas for your news stories. This would definitely be a great website to check out for anyone that is considering starting up a news program. For a more professional news program the Tiger News (Southern Columbia Area High School) website is great to check out. Their broadcast from November 1st was quite impressive. Both of these websites could assist anyone in creating their own school news program.
ReplyDeleteI too enjoyed both of the examples that Dr. Cooper provided. They were both an example of a goal that schools can reach toward for their news program. I think students should be involved in broadcasting the news and using the technology. I like the three tips that you included. If a school does not have a news program, they should not start out trying to be like Pleasant Grove or Southern Columbia. It is important to start small where you are comfortable and then progressively add more.
ReplyDeleteThe examples were great. My high school had morning announcements and the elementary school that I mentor in also has TV morning announcements. I had really only known this my last four years of public school and foolishly thought everyone had this setup; Needless to say, I was surprised that the high school I mentor only does intercom announcements. I feel that a student lead production not only provides a great creative outlet for the students, but it also helps keep the student body involved; It's a lot more interesting to watch fellow students than hear the principal speaking over the intercom.
ReplyDeleteI like your point that media specialists should accommodate; the two schools which both broadcasted news had their "studio" in the media
center. As you said, for just beginning, you can start small. A possible option would be to create video shorts to be linked on the media center page to give the students practice with the equipment. As the equipment and student knowledge grow, the broadcasting can become larger. Backdrops can be purchased (an option could be bulletin board paper which you may already have or cheap cloth) and other desks and equipment added. Let the students determine the direction of the TV news studio; they will have a lot of fun creating it!
By Cecilia:
ReplyDeleteI liked all of the tips you gave for media specialists to keep in mind when planning a school news program. My mentor produces a morning show EVERY day! There is a News Room, with backdrop, news desk and a lot of equipment. The news anchors change daily and are comprised of mostly fourth and fifth graders. There are throngs of students who want to be involved. At the beginning and during the school year, the media specialist tells her students about the program and where the sign up forms are. After that, the forms come rolling in. Once students participate in a program or two, many are hooked.