If you are like me, you are always looking for ways to use videos in your classroom. I tend to either check out a DVD from the media center of find it on Discovery Education’s video streaming. At my school we do have a Video Distribution system located in the media center. In talking with the media specialist this is piece of equipment that is very underused, and often not used for educational purposes. We do have a morning news broad cast that come through it each morning, but that is the only regular activity it sees. On Channel 4 we have a digital bulletin board that shows on a TV in the school Lobby, but it often as old information. The most use the VDS sees is when teachers want a video played for either the whole school or a certain grade level. At Christmas they played “Charlie Brown” on it for the whole school to watch during their Holiday Parties. Towards the end of the year many grade levels will watch the movie versions of books they read, but not real purposeful vidoes are show through this system.
GPB education is another great resource. I really like that they have webinars on the new common core that will be rolling out next year. You can watch trainings for your specific grade levels. This is going to be a very helpful tool in planning for next year.
http://www.gpb.org/education/common-core
As an Elementary teachers I wanted to check out the “Count on it” link that is designed for k-3. I was not impressed. Being a 3rd grade teacher I was hoping for some really great games and activities on Counting back Change and Elapsed time, but the activities on this page do not seem to be aligned to the current GPS for 3rd grade. Just being able to tell time is not enough for a 3rd grader. They need to know if I start an activity at this time, and Finish at this time, I spent this long completing the activity. I hope the other grade levels are better aligned.
http://www.gpbkids.org/countonit/
I did not find “Count on It” to be very good either. The website did not have adequate directions for the games nor was the site fun and attention grabbing. So, I’m sure that our students would not find it fun to go to. It is interesting to see that the Video Distribution System is not used much at your school. I am sure that there are over 100 hundred ways that it could be used to assist with learning in the schools. I will have to do more research to find out the benefits of using the system. I am wondering what your media specialist specialty is. Perhaps she is more in to teaching reading and library skills versus the technology aspect of the media center. It also seems as if the news broadcast at your school is pretty boring. It’s a good thing that we are learning how to incorporate technology in our program at UWGA, it seems as if we will standout well against most current media specialist. In addition, the students and faculty are sure to find our services helpful and fun.
ReplyDeleteThe GPB educational webniars are great especially considering all the transitions that are taking place from Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). I think it is important to utilize common videos and lesson plans so students have a better education across the board no matter which school in the state of Georgia they attend (or across the country for that matter). I think a video broadcasting system is also a strong way for schools to stay connected to one another. In my high school, we have 2800 students and it is often hard for everyone to stay connected and a video broadcasting system could help bring the school together.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteMy school uses the VDS in the same way with the exception of the digital bulletin board. At my school, the digital bulletin board is up to date. School personnel usually send the announcements to the media specialist in powerpoint form and she will simply add it to the digital bulletin board.
I am envious that you school is allowed to play videos during a holiday party. At my school, we are not allowed to say the word “party” and are not allowed to show videos that are not directly related to standards. So, there is no “Charlie Brown” or “Polar Express”. If we would like to show videos of books that we have read, we can show no more than 30 minute increments for comparisons, not enjoyment. I would like to incorporate more fun, yet purposeful videos to closed circuit.
Thank you for sharing common core information that is on GPB! The information my school is providing is not very explanatory. Everyone keeps telling me that “it’s the same”, but I want to be prepared for the upcoming school year.