Pridevision (Multimedia)

Overview

     Welcome and thank you for your interest in technology and its current and future impact on learning.  At the conclusion of this course, students will have a solid foundation of video editing, develop technology and critical thinking skills, learn video editing and multimedia strategies that will assist in productivity, communication, and aid in academic success.  In addition, students will engage in a multitude of creative, teamwork-based activities that will allow them to apply their skills and knowledge in a variety of settings.  Another fantastic bi-product of this course is recognizability campus-wide, as the announcements created will feature students in fictional situations that are engaging, comical, and often discussed throughout the year.

 

Google Requirement
    Students will need to either create their own Google account (it’s free) or have access to a parent’s account, as we implement Google Drive for collaborative activities.  Click here to get a free account.

 

Behavior Expectations
    Although I do not expect to encounter any problems in the coming year, it is important you understand how I will respond if they should arise.  Here are my expectations for student behavior while in the computer lab, on campus, or in classroom situations:

1.    Be in class before the bell rings; remain in class until the period concludes (bell does not dismiss you)
2.    Come to class prepared (i.e. account login information, cell phone, etc.)
3.    Turn in all work on time
4.    Raise your hand if you have a comment or question
5.    Work cooperatively and collaboratively
6.    Keep your hands and feet to yourself
7.    Respect your classmates, teacher, and substitutes
8.    Follow school rules (especially no food, drink, or gum near computers or mobile devices)
9.    Do not disrupt the learning environment (pass notes, off-task, throw objects, etc.)
10.  Be open to the ideas and strategies offered by others

 

Publishing Video Content

     Because Pridevision involves students communicating, on recorded video, various school-wide messages, it is necessary to understand they will quickly become “popular” targets for both praise and criticism.  Although it is difficult to predict what content peers in middle school might ridicule or find favorable, students in Pridevision must be willing to accept either.  Students who are unwilling to allow themselves to appear in videos are not expected to remain in the course and encouraged to explore other electives that do not require daily public exposure.  As always, communication with the Director is suggested prior to removal from the course.

 

General Procedures/Routines
    Typically, students are expected to be ready to learn once the bell rings.  Restroom breaks are allowed only in emergencies or for medical reasons.  Water breaks are as needed.  Students in Pridevision are encouraged to use their environment as a background for announcements; they will be permitted to access various areas of campus that may not be directly supervised by staff (however, cameras cover virtually all areas of campus!).  

 

Discipline Interventions
    I have discovered that I am an extremely fair teacher—be honest with me, and you will more than likely get the benefit of the doubt.  When dealing with behavior problems that disrupt the lab/classroom and the learning environment, I will usually do one or more of the following:

1.    Warning (either verbal or gesture)
2.    Temporary removal from classroom—quick discussion                                                                                            3.    Temporary removal from classroom—time out with Mr. P
4.    Detention assigned/Parent Contact
5.    Parent Conference or administrative referral
6.    Removal from Pridevision

 

Please understand that the discipline I use is entirely dependent upon the situation.  In other words, I will use my best judgment to determine which intervention is in the best interest of the class and/or the offender.  For example: one of the biggest problems I have encountered involves tardiness, and my approaches to rectify this problem have ranged from holding a student in class for a minute past the bell (usually after the third tardy) to parent contact and/or removal from the course (for chronic tardiness.)

 

Absences
    Although this is an elective course, students will still receive a final grade based on group dynamics, creativity, development of technology skills, and timeliness of project completion.  As such, students who are absent are expected to complete any missed coursework within a reasonable time frame (typically, students are allowed as many days as they are absent to make up assignments missed.)  If a student is to miss class for any reason, please contact me via email so that I am aware of any medical or emergent situations.

 

Grading
    Project-based assignments will be graded with a scoring rubric, so students will always know what is expected before the assignment is given.  Various in-class assignments, projects, and concept-based learning modules will be given point values according to the following scale:

100-97     A+
96-93        A
92-90        A-
89-87        B+
86-83        B
82-80        B-
79-77        C+
76-73        C
72-70        C-
69-67        D+
66-63        D
62-60        D-
Below 60 F

 

Grades will be posted according to Student Identification Number in the classroom/lab several times each month, so students will be able to monitor their progress year-round.  In addition, I will be e-mailing progress reports to you (provided you have given the school a valid e-mail address) every other week to keep you informed.  Finally, grades can be checked on the Aeries website: https://aeriesnet.murrieta.k12.ca.us/parent/LoginParent.aspx

 

Because the nature of this course is to communicate, using multimedia, various messages pertaining to the school environment, students will also be assessed according to how well they work with their peers, how they are able to effectively communicate on film, and how well they implement the various tools shown throughout the course.

 

Parent Acknowledgement
    Please click here to acknowledge that you and your parents have read, understood, and agreed to the policies of this course.