The Digital Media Program
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The Instructor: Vanessa Hughes, M.A.T. |
In 2009, the media program at Cleveland High School was born. We began with a media literacy course (Media and Society) and have grown into a Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) offering students a chance to explore their talents in photography, videography, audio production, social media and website management.
The success of these classes - as with any community - hinges on students' willingness to be open, to create an inclusive environment where we explore ideas, criticize content but never people, and question existing paradigms. One of our primary goals is to develop the skills necessary for being an active, discerning consumer AND PRODUCER of media content. We are all familiar with the phrase ‘you are what you eat.’ I propose that ‘you are what you media.’ Scope and Sequence of Program: foundations of Digital Media Level One: (formerly Media and Society) Digital Media Level Two Digital Media Level Three Level One: A year-long elective open to 9th through 12th grade, this course asks students to examine their relationship with media. It is crucial to state up front that this is NOT an anti-media class. We will avoid making judgments of what is “good” or “bad” media. By suspending judgements, we can better evaluate the impact of media on ourselves, our communities, our culture, and on the world. As we become more discerning consumers of media content, we will translate the skills into our digital media projects.
Starting with digital photography, students will learn techniques in composition and lighting while practicing different genres of making images. Next, students will dip their toes in video production learning basic shooting and editing skills. All projects are housed on a personal website which students develop and manage throughout the year. We are always adding and revising content. New to the level one class is journalism, marketing, and mass communications. Level Two (prerequisite Level One): Fundamentally this is a storytelling course. Students will use audio/visual production techniques to tell stories: fiction, non-fiction, musical, visual, literal, metaphoric. Students should have a cursory knowledge of multimedia technologies and strong understanding of media literacy.
Students continue building skills in photography and video and will add audio production to their portfolio of work. We will learn to use a digital DSLR camera in manual mode and practice post production editing. Video projects are expected to include works in several genres and demonstrate proficiency with post production. Sound projects include interviews, layering audio, and podcasting. Functioning in a similar way to an inquiry course, students are expected to work independently with all of the self-management skills required to do so. One outcome of the course is to prepare a portfolio in preparation for a media career or to meet entrance requirements for institutions of higher education focusing on media arts. This class will also look for partnerships and internships with outside agencies for further real world experience. Level Three (prerequisite Level Two): By Level Three, students are serious about their interest in one or two disciplines of digital media production. Functioning similarly to an independent study course, Level Three students are exploring their medium, researching professionals who inspire their craft, and building skills in media production. The student is proficient in project management. The instructor is acting as advisor and mentor, and with the help of the instructor, the student will access specific skill-building expertise either within Cleveland High School or in the professional community of Portland. Students will complete a ‘passion project’ each quarter, as well as submit work for an externally judged competition. Continuing their portfolio work from Levels One and Two, the student will prepare for a media career or to meet entrance requirements for institutions of higher education focusing on media arts.
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You can find me at:
Cleveland High School Portland Public Schools 3400 SE 26th Avenue Portland, OR 97202 503-916-5120 [email protected] Qualifications and Certifications Master of Arts in Teaching, Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Ed, 2005 Bachelor of Arts: Film and Communications, Columbia College Chicago, 1995 Highly Qualified Teacher: Oregon Certified: International Baccalaureate Literature; Language & Literature,Theory of Knowledge Certified: Career and Technical Education state of Oregon: Media Arts Certified: Professional Learning Communities Certified: AVID |