versus

So I've visited two junior highs and one high school so far. Let's compare them:

JHS1-

Standard lecture to project. He gave a pretty decent, standard lecture with lots of questioning, checking for understanding, etc. on column construction. Then he turned them loose with specific project specifications to build their own column out of paper and let them test them. It was fun to see the kids getting into it, and I think it worked well.

JHS2-

The teacher is a little bit famous for having every single assignment/project outlined with step by step instructions. If someone misses a day s/he can find the corresponding binder and follow the instructions. This is an impressive system. Kids stay on task, they help themselves, they all have access to these binders at any point in time. People seem to like it. I don't. My objections are mostly about how these lesson outlines DO NOT teach people how to use a program. It teaches them how to follow instructions, how to create the exact same cheesy sample that the instructor made, but it requires zero creativity (in most cases even inhibiting it) and in the end the student will only know how to make that same cheesy sample. In my opinion, media classes should be more about creativity, not about the tool. The tool is merely the latest - and hopefully most useful - piece of equipment available to aid in creating a project of similar parameters.

Granted, knowing how to use various tools is very practical when it comes to finding a job. But in my experience, these tools are so complex that any job you get, you'll have to learn it in a whole new way to meet the job's requirements. But emphasize creativity, the students will end up using what they need to in order to finish the project well. They'll be more driven to learn how to use the tools as well.

HS1-

I was basically blown away by Wasatch High's video program. They had loads of beautiful equipment and students who rose to the challenge of making a pretty decent/professional news program. It was extremely practical in providing them real-life experience in almost every field related to news production and it also allowed room for the high schoolers to be creative. The teacher had high expectations and from there the students drove themselves. The one thing I would change (admitting I only observed one day) is to allow more flexibility for the students. The professional look and everything was great but I'd like to see more of the kids' personalities in the final result, as opposed to trying to imitate real news anchors. On the other hand, the teacher probably did allow that creativity, but when they get in front of the camera, realizing the whole school is watching, they slide into the role of traditional news anchor.

That's all for now. Ok bye.