Student presentation at WestCAST 2009 at the University of Victoria
Session
In this multimedia session, the presenter will open with an introduction to the interdisciplinary approach and will address the benefits and challenges of such an approach. The presenter will portray a variety of options to integrate this approach into the secondary school system: lessons, units, or courses.
The presenter will then introduce Media School as an example of an existing successful interdisciplinary semester-long course. He will discuss the creation and development of such a course and how it is maintained. These ideas will be presented by using a variety of audiovisual tools to enhance the presentation. These film clips will be an insight into the day-to-day routines of Media School and students’ reflections on their experiences in the programme.
The third part of the session will consist of an account of the presenter’s personal experience within Media School as a teacher candidate during practicum. He will discuss the accomplishments and challenges that he encountered personally and that anyone who wishes to create such a course may encounter, including course development, scheduling, classroom management, and team teaching.
Background
Media School is a specialized multidisciplinary course held at Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The course is for Grade Eleven students who wish to focus on media production and technology and is currently in its third session. During the school day, there are no bells and no periods; single topics can be addressed for an hour or a day depending on the needs of the group, maintaining respect for the individual needs of every student. (SPSD Media School, 2008) The course is comprised of English Language Arts 20/30, Physics 20 (sound, light, lenses, and electronics), and Communication Production Technology 20/30 (SPSD Media School, 2008) However, Media School’s approach to these courses is aimed at the media production skill set. Therefore, activities and lessons integrate all five of these courses with emphasis on independent learning, group work, peer tutoring, and projects.
Students learn to use semi-professional equipment and editing software with which they create a variety of productions. At the end of Media School, students may use these productions to create a “demo reel” to use in application to post-secondary film programmes. Students also have the benefit of touring professional facilities, meeting industry workers, and even receiving industry safety certification and set protocol.
References
SPSD Media School. (2006). Retrieved November 13, 2008, from SPSD Media School Web site: http://schools.spsd.sk.ca/evanhardy/mediaschool/index.html