One of the projects I am working as a Learning Coordinator for the TVDSB that I will be discussing during this blog entry is the concept of a  MEDIA KIT.  In my opinion a MEDIA KIT is way to provide portable technology for students and teachers that they can employ in and out of their classroom environment. When teachers and students do not have access to Desktop computers or laptops, I would love to be able to be able to send in the  MEDIA KIT.

Question: What the heck is a MEDIA KIT?

A MEDIA KIT is a camera bag or portable container that holds several key pieces of technology inside. The contents might include such items as an inexspensive handheld digital audio recorders/.mp3 player, a inexspensive cam corder ( Such as FlipVideo or Jazz Cam Corder), a set of headphone/mic, and a digital cardreader.  If a classroom teacher has access to 4 or 5 kits in their classroom students can become ‘hooked’ by the technology to help enhance their written presentations.

Comment: Sounds like more work for the teacher…What can I do with  Media Kit?

For starters it is not about the teacher. It is about the sudents. You could give the kits to your kids …hey….they’ll figure it out most likely quicker then you will. Technology is third sense for many of our students.

Students might record an audio reading of their written work to turn into a podcast. Students might make a short video

 Question: How do I get things going in my class?

Answer: Model it,  Model it , Model it….

Teachers need to pick one thing out and get really good at it. Then try to model i for the students. Trying a sample projects with students will go a long way to teach students how to work through new projects.  If you can produce something simple everybody wins.

Write something, word process it, practice reading outloud, then use the .mp3 recorder and record it. Copy to the computer, edit it using AUdacity. Post to it

The goal is to have teachers and students be able to sign out the MEDIA KITS to be able to enhence their written project work.

Recording an Journalist’sinterview

Presenting autobiographical information and Memoirs about students and their family, friends, and community members.

I will get some pictures up of the technology I am speaking. I am currently in the process of getting our board’s Webstore to approve a Kit. The goal is to keep the cost under $250.00 per kit. Schools could then budget around $1000.00 or !500.00 to purchase 4 or 5 kits.

More to come later…