Today was the first day for the fall session, and I was support for the Photoshop unit as well as stepped in at the last minute to help with the profiles/Excel unit. The Profiles/Excel Unit was in the morning, and it was a bit hectic, since the students were largely on different pages as far as what they actually needed to do in regards to their individual profiles. Still, some of the students were really good at helping others, which took some of the stress off of Felipe and, to a lesser extent, me. I wish I knew a little more about Dreamweaver in order to answer some of the questions that were asked, but in general everything was kept under control. I was able to impress upon the students the importance of a clean and detailed resume, which is something that I have a good deal of experience with, and I think they really started to listen when we told them that their profiles would help in the future in regards to landing good-paying jobs and the like.
In the afternoon I helped Chris with the Photoshop lesson, and that went off very well. The sophomores are definitely in school mode now, which is a marked change from the summer. Everyone seemed really interested in using the software, and they were having fun with the Pac Man Fix and some of the other picture-editing assignments. Marleny and Jenny were really quick to pick up the clone stamp tool, which I was particularly happy about since it's a great little widget once you get the hang of it. There was a brief bit of confusion when we asked them to surf the net looking for website designs that they liked, but I think part of the issue came from the idea of content versus design, as well as the initial confusion of being asked to look at webpages, which I don't think is something that comes up for students very often. All in all, I think that a lot of good work was done.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Okay
Wow, it was a lot easier to fall into "vacation mode" than I thought it would be after the Vegas Video camp finished up. Where have the last 2 weeks gone?
Anyhow, now for my last posting of the summer. As far as the positions of Unit Support/Unit Coordinator go, I feel that to get up to that all-powerful 100% rating (which I'm too much of a realist to ever believe is truly possible) requires a very solid grounding in just about every aspect of the program, from knowing every student's name and inherent strengths/weaknesses to complete understanding of all of the ins and outs of the computer-based paraphernalia (websites, software, hardware, etc.) On a more grounded level, I think the pursuit of these lofty goals is the most solid way to feel confident in the program. This can only come with experience, I think working firsthand with the students is the best way, because I can sit and play with Vegas Video or Illustrator or Photoshop all day but until I actually observe the students working with it, and listen to their questions and see what they get hung up on I can't learn what to expect. Their problems can be very unique, to say the least.
As far as being a Unit Coordinator, I think that's a question of just understanding the technical side (using the ITA website and generating lesson plans). Essentially it just requires a lot of thinking ahead, like any teaching. But since that's really part of the fun there shouldn't be any problems with that.
I think the 3 period system works well, for the most part. Nothing's every perfect, obviously, but the students are given enough time for each individual period so that they don't have to feel like they're being pulled away just as they're getting somewhere. The impetus is on the instructors to make sure they use the time wisely, which is a challenge in and of itself, but it's good to see that a lot of the students are mature enough to take it upon themselves to do it.
As a parting snapshot, the ITA program has a lot of heart, and I think that's a great thing to be a part of. The students are here to learn and the teachers are making sure they do. I'm looking forward to seeing how things work during the school year, as opposed to the frenetic pace of the summer camps.
Anyhow, now for my last posting of the summer. As far as the positions of Unit Support/Unit Coordinator go, I feel that to get up to that all-powerful 100% rating (which I'm too much of a realist to ever believe is truly possible) requires a very solid grounding in just about every aspect of the program, from knowing every student's name and inherent strengths/weaknesses to complete understanding of all of the ins and outs of the computer-based paraphernalia (websites, software, hardware, etc.) On a more grounded level, I think the pursuit of these lofty goals is the most solid way to feel confident in the program. This can only come with experience, I think working firsthand with the students is the best way, because I can sit and play with Vegas Video or Illustrator or Photoshop all day but until I actually observe the students working with it, and listen to their questions and see what they get hung up on I can't learn what to expect. Their problems can be very unique, to say the least.
As far as being a Unit Coordinator, I think that's a question of just understanding the technical side (using the ITA website and generating lesson plans). Essentially it just requires a lot of thinking ahead, like any teaching. But since that's really part of the fun there shouldn't be any problems with that.
I think the 3 period system works well, for the most part. Nothing's every perfect, obviously, but the students are given enough time for each individual period so that they don't have to feel like they're being pulled away just as they're getting somewhere. The impetus is on the instructors to make sure they use the time wisely, which is a challenge in and of itself, but it's good to see that a lot of the students are mature enough to take it upon themselves to do it.
As a parting snapshot, the ITA program has a lot of heart, and I think that's a great thing to be a part of. The students are here to learn and the teachers are making sure they do. I'm looking forward to seeing how things work during the school year, as opposed to the frenetic pace of the summer camps.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Video Blitz!!!
Today was the video blitz, my first time with the camp, software, and the whole thing. It was an entertaining and informative experience, really slamming the instructors and the students with Vegas Video software and the whole experience of planning, filming, and editing a short film. It's very much a "toss 'em in the water and watch 'em swim" sort of thing, which I think they need (so do the teachers.) I was very pleased with the variety of ideas and the work ethic that the students displayed. They really pulled themselves together and did some nice work.
On the whole, I think the experience taught the students a lot about the entire process of making a film. They learned some valuable lessons that will make their final projects that much better. They learned that there is a degree of complication to the whole thing, as well as the fact that the instructors are willing to go the extra mile to help them put their videos together. Now they've been through the crucible, and they're going to be better for it.
On the whole, I think the experience taught the students a lot about the entire process of making a film. They learned some valuable lessons that will make their final projects that much better. They learned that there is a degree of complication to the whole thing, as well as the fact that the instructors are willing to go the extra mile to help them put their videos together. Now they've been through the crucible, and they're going to be better for it.
Friday, June 26, 2009
First day in the trenches
I helped out with the afternoon session yesterday and I have to say that it was a lot of fun. The kids are more or less how I remember them from last week (and it's still summer) but this time I had the chance to really take part in their education as well as observe them on a deeper level. Again, it's great to see how much they work together and it's great that I had the chance to encourage that along with the rest of the instructors.
At the same time, they're kids. It's actually pretty funny to me to notice one of them doing absolutely NOTHING when they've got nothing to do. When you "grow up" usually you get to a point where you can find something, anything, to do. I forgot how easy it was to shut off when I was that age. I don't mean they're talking or being distracting, I mean they're doing nothing. Sitting, staring past their monitors at the wall instead of finding something to do. And what's even better is that they snap right back into place once you ask them what they're working on. That's the kicker, that they're right back on task the moment you say something. Sort of reinforces the whole teacher/student model.
At the same time, they're kids. It's actually pretty funny to me to notice one of them doing absolutely NOTHING when they've got nothing to do. When you "grow up" usually you get to a point where you can find something, anything, to do. I forgot how easy it was to shut off when I was that age. I don't mean they're talking or being distracting, I mean they're doing nothing. Sitting, staring past their monitors at the wall instead of finding something to do. And what's even better is that they snap right back into place once you ask them what they're working on. That's the kicker, that they're right back on task the moment you say something. Sort of reinforces the whole teacher/student model.
Training Day 2
The second training was a lot of fun, to put it simply. I learned a lot about the program as well as the other instructors coming in with me. It's always entertaining to hear people share their experiences with teachers/instructors and what made a specific teacher memorable as a "good teacher." It's funny that, even in a diverse group, the answer to "What makes a good teacher?" always seems to be similar, if not the same. It's always the teachers who treat students like people and actually listen to their questions, or just TALK to them, that leave the deepest impression.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Observation
Today was my first observation period. I took a seat and experienced the beginning of a lesson on Linux, of which I have only passing knowledge.
It’s definitely summertime. The kids have sparks in their brains but I’m immediately struck by how involved they all are in the lesson. Wrangling everyone at the beginning is a bit on the rough side but it doesn’t take long for everyone to start getting to work and soon they’re all asking questions about what they’re supposed to be doing. These are real questions, based on genuine curiosity about what AJ and Felipe are teaching them. They’re not the stupid things I would have asked about when I was a teenager, that’s for sure.
Even more interesting is that they’re helping each other. There’s very little ego going around. I’m definitely getting the idea that they know each other and, most importantly, enjoy working together. It’s good to see bonds like that between kids. Usually everyone’s prickly in that unique way that comes with the insecurities of youth.
If I’m concerned about anything while I’m watching the students and the teachers it’s my own lesson plans. I’m stepping into something important here and I can already see that the students are willing to work hard. They deserve the same in return.
It’s definitely summertime. The kids have sparks in their brains but I’m immediately struck by how involved they all are in the lesson. Wrangling everyone at the beginning is a bit on the rough side but it doesn’t take long for everyone to start getting to work and soon they’re all asking questions about what they’re supposed to be doing. These are real questions, based on genuine curiosity about what AJ and Felipe are teaching them. They’re not the stupid things I would have asked about when I was a teenager, that’s for sure.
Even more interesting is that they’re helping each other. There’s very little ego going around. I’m definitely getting the idea that they know each other and, most importantly, enjoy working together. It’s good to see bonds like that between kids. Usually everyone’s prickly in that unique way that comes with the insecurities of youth.
If I’m concerned about anything while I’m watching the students and the teachers it’s my own lesson plans. I’m stepping into something important here and I can already see that the students are willing to work hard. They deserve the same in return.
Training
Well, I had my first training session for the ITA program. It's been an interesting experience so far, I really didn't know anything about it before my interview. Everyone's being very friendly, which is making this transition very easy. I'm looking forward to getting into the meat of the program, working out lesson plans and getting out there in front of a class. That's why we're all here, right?
Since the students run the full spectrum of high schoolers it should be interesting to see what kind of group's been assembled. The difference between a freshman and a senior is enormous and I imagine the curriculum reflects that. I'll have to look into the training classes for the different software since a good amount of it is beyond my experience but I'm looking forward to that as well. Children ain't the only ones who get to learn, after all.
Since the students run the full spectrum of high schoolers it should be interesting to see what kind of group's been assembled. The difference between a freshman and a senior is enormous and I imagine the curriculum reflects that. I'll have to look into the training classes for the different software since a good amount of it is beyond my experience but I'm looking forward to that as well. Children ain't the only ones who get to learn, after all.
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