Writing papers
thinking about how we do our ‘job’ as teachers
wanting to revolutionize the education system now
today
not tomorrow
knowing that change takes time in any institution
hating the fact that I know that fact
and still at the end
realizing that all I can do is take tiny steps
make small ripples in the pond I dwell in
and having to be satisfied that I am doing what I can
while not being able to do want I want…
The school buses were shut down for two days as we received a huge pile of snow on Monday and Tuesday. Took about another two days to get everything plowed out, dug out, and manageable, just in time for the weather to heat up to about plus 11 by the weekend!!! Now everything is just a running river of melted snow…
Thursday I found myself 10 – 12 stories under the ground in the Rats Nest Cave, near Canmore, Alberta. This is an amazing place, a place one soon won’t forget. Repels of 50-60 feet, twisting chutes that seemed to get thinner as you went further through them, tugging at your harness, slick, long climbs and some of the most powerful scenery I have ever viewed!!! What a day!!!
The last two days have been spent in the office at home, working like a fiend to complete the seventh of ten courses for my masters. Planning, shooting and editing a silent movie seemed like good idea at the time… Okay, it was a good idea, and the final product will show the students what can be done in regards to Digital Story Telling in the classroom. But I tell you, I do not believe this project could have gotten more complicated, and have been saved because of the complications, if I had tried to plan it that way.
Anyway, after all is said and done, the final project worked out quite well I think. Though I suppose the final decision always rests with the viewer, doesn’t it?
Enjoy, thanks to all that made this project possible,
Going on a field trip is always a stressful time I find.
Usually…
This time though, not so much. I am not sure why the difference, but I felt little stress about the 100 details that went into making this field trip work. I enjoyed the process start to finish this past Friday. In no time we were back at school and the trip was filed under ‘finished’, to be remembered on occasion.
But not this time…
No, this time I used photographs taken on the journey as part of my latest Master class. The idea was to make a video, sort of a commercial meets PSA, with the intent of proving that Field trips are worth the time and trouble that is required to facilitate an on-campus activity.
Learned many lessons did I. Mostly that what looks like a winner picture on the iPhone may not look so great when shown full screen. I really thought some pictures were winners; only discover that I really have a shaky hand!!!
Anyway, what follows is the result of several hours’ worth of learning, most fun indeed!!!
Young, A.R. (2009) Hello Seattle [Recorded by Adam R. Young,]. On Ocean Eyes [CD]. Owatona, Minnesota: Universal Republic .