Media

Clip Art Turnoff

I am attending a two week teacher's training and with all of the speakers and seminars everyday, I am getting a good feeling of what it feels like to be a classroom student again. I am finding that if the speaker does not try to engage and draw me in within the first five minutes, I dismiss the lecture and spend the rest of the time trying to keep my mind focused on what is being presented. Those who walk around, use energy, and are expressive are much easier to listen to no matter what they are talking about. And if they use stories to teach, I'm hooked for most of the session and will even remember at least their stories the next day. Visual aids also are a huge factor. So far, everyone has used PowerPoints and most of them were made in the 90's with gaughty clip art and typical layouts, a major turnoff. Made me realize how much of an impact visual aids have and to make sure I use quality visuals that are unique. So far, I have found success with Prezi and After Effects but it is more time consuming. Although, Steve Jobs makes some good Keynotes when introducing a new product.

Inspired By My Students

A student asked me last week, "Mr. Heil, why do you teach here? Why don't you go work at a studio with your skills." It was a flattering question that made me ponder the hypothetical situation. I remember asking myself the same question two years ago which led me from teaching at a school in Thailand to working at a education studio in Hawaii where I helped to edit videos and create graphics for television and classroom videos. It was fun but not as fulfilling as teaching. My work would be broadcasted on TV but it would stop there. I enjoy passing down my knowledge to the future generation which is will live on forever.

One of my students took this knowledge and applied it to make a documentary about his friend who made a song. He entered it at the Korean and Asia EARCOS Film Festival and won first prize at both. This is what inspires me to do what I do.

Photography Education Existence

Since photography is one of my biggest hobbies and one of my side jobs that I focus on at my studio, ModernMango.com. I learned a lot from photographer Joseph Linaschke on the night photo shoot in Singapore and will remember his comment, "Photographers don't take pictures, they make pictures." Here at the ADE conference I heard of a handful of tech educators sharing that their school has purposed a bunch of cameras and small video cameras which begs the question, "How are teachers learning basic photography in order to teach their students?" So many times I have seen teachers simply tell their students to make a video or a photo story but don't show them how to take these or even edit them in the proper software which begs the question, "Is there an online resource that is targeted for teachers to help them learn and teach their students at various skill levels?" Tweet me if you know.

School YouTube Battle

Coming back from Christmas vacation back home in Hawaii, I have been arranging lesson plans as I begin a new segment into video in computer class. Searching for some good lip sync examples to motivate my students, I came across a couple of high schools (Shoreline and Shorecrest) next to each other in Wisconsin who have started a YouTube dual. Each school's video class planned, filmed, and edited a school video that included all of the high school students. After watching the videos, I could get a better sense of the school environment and students. I'm sure these videos will be treasured among the students in years to come as they look back at them at class reunions. Video is a great way to promote school spirit and archive memories; I just wish schools would do more of it.

Vimeo

A good substitute for youtube

Video

Youtube

Teachertube