How do you encourage kids to kick the TV, computer, and video game habit? What can you do when a screen is their best friend and babysitter? You make them the Masters of the Media. Let them take control and help them create positive and enriching projects. Let them own the technology.
My students are the best.
They come from all over the city, the state, and the world to attend my school. We are in area that has very few resources or opportunities for youth. With our bare bones budget, we can not afford many extras. Despite this, the staff, students, and families all work together. We benefit from our many different backgrounds and cultures to create a community of trust and compassion. Knowing that my students often come from challenging situations, my school seeks to challenge them in ways that will enrich their lives and broaden their experiences.
My Project
I would like to have two easy to use flip camcorders for two specific purposes. Firstly, I would like my students to be able to document and share their experiences, specifically their experiences involving service learning projects. Next, I would create a tie in with a media and nutrition program I teach. With the camcorders, my class could create their own anti-ads (commercials that tell the truth about products or advertise healthy choices) as well as their own shows. They would develop an awareness of advertising techniques and media manipulation by recognizing the negative effects felt by groups and individuals. They would then synthesize that knowledge into educational and entertaining pieces of their own.
It is my intent to help my students develop the power to be critical of media and advertising, a media literacy if you will.
I want them to be able to use that to create their own pieces that will show their strength, intelligence, and accomplishments. By being able to film, upload, and edit their own pieces they will also gain some access to technology that they will need to keep up in school and in life. Technology that my school cannot usually afford to make available.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. McNew and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
