Video Technology and its Affect on a Lower School Environment

Your Name: Katie Hayes

Grade Level: Freshman

School or Organization Name: University School of Milwaukee

Co-Presenter Name(s): none

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience(s): Teachers

Short Session Description (one line):

The positive effect video technology has in a Lower School school culture and its influence on building a strong the sense of community.

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

When Lower School principals are actively involved with young children and high school students to develop a cross division weekly video broadcast, the positive impact is significant for students, teachers, and the broader community. Few principals today can be seen writing scripts and shooting video across campus with both young children and teeenagers, but when it happened at USM the dynamics of the school changed. Lower School teachers observed a new principal roll up his sleeves and work with students in an ongoing news project. Two Upper School students work closely with the Head of Lower School to bring the weekly project to fruition. The high school students’ sense of appreciation grew as they learned more about the resources on campus including the beehive used for the School’s honey, gardens for fresh vegetables served at lunch, and the security team that keeps everyone safe. The high school students’ sense of responsibility also grew as they recorded weekly episodes with the young children who eagerly practiced and performed a script written with the help of their charismatic principal. Older students then edited and published the pieces that classrooms across campus watch together on Fridays. At the end of the day each week, the video is shared with school families who also learn more about what is happening on campus through the eyes of young students. Upper School students led this project and are collecting data from the faculty and families to monitor the effect the broadcast series is having on the community.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:

https://vimeo.com/album/3579584

Password protected: Will share with participants during the broadcast.

Tags: 2016EdTechTools, 2016Projects