Week #11 - Community Involvement

1.. What are your concerns about teaching young people to make videos about social problems?

            My only real concern about teaching young people to make videos is that in the process of teaching them technology we are short changing them in basic skills.  I know this is a standard answer for me, but it is a real concern.  I’m beginning to think that I need to adjust my attitude and realize and accept that technology is a basic skill.

 

Then read Chapter 2 in the course text and answer the following questions:

 

1.     Name a social issue specific to the Appalachian region that you think young people in your community would or should address.

There a variety of issues facing young people today such as teenage pregnancy, alcohol & tobacco use, bullying, and more personal mental health and family issues.  A major social issue is also recycling.  In the grander scope of things recycling seems like a small issue, but a sustainable environment is important for current and future generations.

 

2.     Find an online resource you might use to scaffold community-based video production process.

Fairmont is very fortunate to have a public access channel.  Channel 19 is primarily the brain child of D.D. Meighan, a retired Methodist Minister, but the community supports it in a variety of ways.  D.D. is receptive to partnerships and collaboration.  If an individual or an organization has a need for publicity, an event that want broadcast, or a story to share, a call to D.D. is all that is needed. 

http://tv19fairmont.blogspot.com/ for schedule and visit http://vp.telvue.com/player?s=gfcc to view the offered programming.  At 3:34 each day, in the month of November viewers will enjoy a historic First Person interpretation of Susan Holt Camden.  Watch the video and one will understand why the story of Mrs. Dr. Camden is near and dear to my heart.

 

3.     Choose one of the following perspectives; teacher, parent, or community member. From your chosen perspective, would you be supportive of a school program that engaged students in community-based video production? Why or Why not?

As a community member I would embrace the opportunity to work with students in a community based video production.  Working with students at a variety of levels allows for civic engagement, community service, media skills literacy development, and mentorship. 

Currently, in conjunction with D.D. and Channel 19 we are planning a family museum as part of a Senior project for a student at East Fairmont High School.  Josh, is working on compiling and cataloging family artifacts, he will then develop an exhibit which will be featured at the Marion County Historical Society and D.D. will be filming the exhibit and providing some supporting footage as part of the student’s school presentation.