Talk about a WIN-WIN!!!
I was truly impressed with Janet Bremer and Marilyn Clark's efforts to engage students in both community service as well as technology. There are a lot of things to cheer about whether its getting the students to invest in their community through learning, creating a learning environment where technology can be meshed with ingenuity or incorporating other services such as the Art class that provided design covers. The fact that the students worked primarily on their own while developing professional grade products is rather astounding.
In my capacity as an officer in the US ARMY, I have had the opportunity to story board for products and briefs that were used during my time in Afghanistan. This perishable skill is something that many professionals covet and these young men and women are learning how to do this AND support their community at the same time!
Janet and Marilyn are also providing all of us educators with a model of collaboration that works. I am so tired of hearing about how teachers are getting the job done. Its so nice to read, see and feel that teachers can and DO get it done. Being a teacher is not just being someone who can interpret rubric in a particular curriculum. being a teacher is leading students and affording them the opportunity to excel in and out of the classroom. These two teachers are inspirations to me to do better, be better and look for collaboration opportunities within the community.
We can male a difference in both word and action. We can do this with or without support of administrations. And we can achieve, but only with the student in mind!
Bremer, J., & Clark, M. (2005). Filming Compassion. Learning & Leading with Technology, 39-41. ISTE: EUGENE, OR.
