Another gorgeous morning here in sunny SF. Set off for Mission HS to meet with Jennifer Colker, the teacher in charge of MYTV- Mission Youth Television. The show is a magazine style show which is part of the 'peer development programme'- a kind of community responsibility programme that Mission High School run. Ms Colker sees her kids for under 3 hours a week, but manages to put together a student led television production every week which communicates important information about and for the school community. This morning her students were storyboarding a music video which aimed to inspire higher achievement in the California Standardised Test. 3 students had written and performed a rap about this in front of a greenscreen that Ms Colker has set up in her room. She has one imac and her powerbook, two studio lights, and uses 6 flip videos in the production of MYTV. She had about 15 students of about 15 and 16 in the classroom who clearly enjoy her class and what they do there. I loved the way that the classroom was entirely focussed on MAKING STUFF- there was no theory to get bogged down on, and an authentic audience, clear purpose and looming deadline which produced a tangible energy in the room.
Video production in this context is all about community- creating a sense of it, reflecting it back to itself, and serving the school community. There was a clear public service ethos that the students responded to in a really positive way. Media literacy here means involvement- making stuff= engagement with the process of meaning making.
Because this is part of the curriculum located away from traditional forms of assessment (like the CST) teachers and learners seemed free to engage with the public service ideals of community service. The Flannel manages to weave these ideals into its pages- authentic audience, real purpose- working with the imperatives of assessment. A weekly television programme would provide immediacy of audience and a community purpose for Film and TV students- but would have to operate outside of NCEA.
Jennifer also pointed me in the direction of baycat- an non-profit organisation involved in youth media education.
Lots to think about!
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It may have to operate outside NCEA but if we had 3 day episodes at WHS every term like Alfriston do (which I am spending the day at next Friday) this kind of community project would work well. It sounds a bit like a tv form of foxfire. Do you know it? It is started in the 60s and is a for of "citizen journalism" to get students involved in local issues affecting their community - google it if you are interested. I just got out of the Canyon and have climbed up 4500 feet today. I fly back home on Monday for the final phase - I have a day at Alfriston and a meeting with a mathematician.
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