HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CABLE-2004-11-18Cable Access Oversight Committee
Thursday, November 18,2004,4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Minutes [approved]
Members present: Wayles Browne, Will Burbank, Dan Cogan,
Wies van Leuken;
Others present: Lauren Stefanelli, PEGASYS director; Jeff Spence, I.H.S. video program;
Margaret Grace and Elizabeth Rechtin, Dryden H.S. video program
Called to order approx. 4:35 pm Notetaker - Lauren Stefanelli
1. Agenda Review
2. Approve Minutes
Approved minutes from October 21, 2004 meeting after some corrections by Dan.
3. Public Comment
No members of the public present.
4. Report from Ithaca H.S. Video Program
Jeff Spence talked at length about his program and presented an outline of the
"Applications of Video Technology at I.H.S." [attached]. He described how his video
course started 11 years ago as an outgrowth of his study of learning styles in English
instruction. He became interested in video as a means of letting students fulfill English
assignments in a creative way (video book reports, for example). He contacted
PEGASYS to see if we could help. About the same time, Roger Sevilla, technology
instructor at I.H.S., contacted PEGASYS for help upgrading his course to include video.
PEGASYS introduced the two teachers, who proceeded to develop the double
English/Technology course idea. It was accepted as a for - credit course the next term.
Over the years, Jeff has taught video to over 250 students and provided over 170 episodes
of "Lake Street News" to the ed access channel.
TWC funds provided seed money for equipment, but Jeff has more than matched
it with technology grant and Park Foundation funds. The biggest boon has been through
the computer labs installed under the $1.8 million technology grant. Although not
purchased for video, these iMacs all come with video editing software called iMovie. Jeff
thus has access to a 20- station editing facility for his students, diminishing his
dependence on TWC equipment. Presently, he has about 10 digital and a number of Hi8
camcorders. The latter, all over 5 years old and outdated, he has lent to other teachers
within the ICSD to try video work. He appreciates the 2 new digital camcorders
PEGASYS will be supplying him this year because renewing his fleet is important to
keep his program running. Jeff also explained that he now has a budget of $5,000 /year for
equipment repair, and no longer needs to rely on Time Warner for this.
AOC members had some questions:
Cable Access Oversight Committee Minutes November 18, 2004 p.2
What relation has he had to video efforts at DeWitt? Jeff supplied Hi8 cam-
corders to 2 instructors running a video club: Bob Walters and David Buchner.
Is Jeff interested in live cablecasting? He said he has only done about 3 live
cablecasts, and is under the impression that the live hook -up is not working.
[Lauren promised to check into this and report.]
Have any students gone on to pursue video as an interest in higher education or as
a career? Jeff said that quite a few have gone on to film and video journalism
schools, including IC and NYU. Several have gotten jobs in television as well.
Jeff said that future plans include an interest in webcasting "Lake St. News." One
big worry is having no successor. He is now teaching alone and is already eligible to
retire. Although he has tried to spark interest in other teachers, there is no candidate to
replace him.
5. Report from Dryden H.S. Video Program
Margaret Grace presented an extensive report [attached] describing her program.
Margaret described how her video program was hampered by scheduling
problems and funding cuts, including the cut of a planned video lab. Enrollment went
from 31 students the first year to 20 the second, then 10 last year. This year, she says new
administrators are promising more support, and she has 19 students working on
documentaries.
Margaret has 6 DV [2 from TWC] and 4 Hi8 camcorders [all from TWC] for
shooting; and 6 computers with Adobe Premiere [3 from TWC] plus 1 laptop for editing.
Elizabeth Rechtin is an art teacher at Dryden H.S. being groomed to be a co-
teacher and successor for the video program, as Margaret is nearing retirement. Elizabeth
has 16 computers for graphic design that also have video editing software [Studio 8].
They are working on combining their resources to let more students work at one time.
Elizabeth asked that they be given time to develop the program, rather than have
the TWC equipment removed. Dan replied, and the group agreed, that the AOC did not
intend to remove the equipment, although additional grants are not likely at this time.
Some explanation was given to the Dryden teachers about the distinction between
Participating Municipalities [who financially support access and the capital fund] and
non - Participating Municipalities [who do not]. AOC members offered to help to facilitate
her program in any other way they could. They suggested PEGASYS courses for the 2
teachers and mentoring from TC3's video department. TC3 might also be a source of
interns to help Dryden video staff.
6. Report from Studio Manager
Lauren reported that purchase orders for the 2004 capital budget have been issued by
Time Warner's accounting department to venders. She notified the teachers from Ithaca
H.S., ACS and Boynton that their cameras should be arriving soon. She is also looking
forward to the third studio camera coming back on line when our new cable is delivered.
Cable Access Oversight Committee Minutes November 18, 2004 p.3
7. Member Issues
Will brought up the issue of having PEGASYS pick up Democracy Now via satellite.
Some discussion of approving purchase of a digital receiver. Members expressed support
for facilitating Democracy Now. Lauren explained that Tom has concerns about this. Will
and/or Dan will discuss with Tom and report back to the group. Lauren will find out
whether there are subscription costs involved.
It was noted that the AOC meeting notice was finally listed in the Ithaca Journal calendar.
8. Next meeting:
Thursday, December 9, 2004, from 4:30 -6pm.
Meeting adjourned 6:25pm
ADDENDA
I. REPORT FROM ITHACA HIGH SCHOOL
Applications of video technology at I.H.S.
Lake Street News
News; Features; Animations; Video vignettes; Music videos
Live -to -tape
Cabaret Night; Basketball; Meet the Candidates Night; Budget Hearing
PTA Presentation; Guest Lecturer; Airband; Orchestra
ESL
Videos about native cultures
Posted at http: / /www.icsd.kl2.ny.us /highschool /library /student.html
To be shared in the Global Studies classes
Other English Class
Math and Physics
Foreign Language
Assessments
In -class critiques
Portfolios
Contests
Self- assessments
Other curricular links
Media Literacy
School to Work
Cable Access Oversight Committee Minutes November 18, 2004 p.4
II. REPORT FROM DRYDEN HIGH SCHOOL
To: Members of AOC
From: Margaret A. Grace
RE: Summary
Date: 11/18/04
Summary of 2003 -2004
This was the year for our pilot program as a yearlong course in the English department to
give students more opportunities for production, yet still providing students with film
appreciation, film history, critical analysis of films in many genres, and an extended
research paper. Because the course was new and because it was a singleton, scheduling
students who wanted the course was difficult, so I ended up with ten students, some, who
were quite unproductive, who took the course to fill an English requirement while
attending BOLES. Because a number of them had BOCES, their schedules at the home
school were full, leaving no additional time for film production outside of class.
At the same time I received zero dollars from the school district to run the program. The
yearlong course was also developed with the idea of a lab, which was supposed to be
built in the new wing of the building. This video lab was cut from the plan as a cost
savings maneuver. So after a very productive year before, we had few final products.
The four finished tapes from last year are as follows:
"Vanessa Collection " --11 /05/04, 11/12/04
"Jared Delahanty " -- 11/12/04,12/17/04
"Mock Crash" -- 12/03/04, 12/17/04
"DJ Nicky" 11/19/04, 1/14/05
Unfortunately, there were a few projects that were victims of technological problems,
which could not be aired.
Plans for 2004 -2005
Because of the lack of financial support from the district during strained budgetary
considerations and after the loss of a separate lab space, we decided to return to a
semester course. This semester I have 19 students who work at six computer stations in
the back of my room. My school laptop loaded with editing software is also available for
students to sign out to do editing at home. Right now they are working on producing
documentaries: there are 8 groups who will have finished products by Christmas break.
They will also work in groups to produce a final project. Next semester I have 16
students enrolled with many who want to take the course. I asked my current students if
they would like to continue to do a yearlong course, and the consensus was unanimously
"Yes." However I do not have enough equipment to support 35 students or more. Once
again next semester's groups will produce documentaries and a final project.
Cable Access Oversight Committee Minutes November 18, 2004 p.5
The future of film production at DHS
Right now I am in process to make this program a permanent, growing entity in Dryden,
even though the district -wide technology department cut me off as part of their budget
over two years ago, and two years ago I became a single line item serving a relatively
small number of students, so I was the first to be cut. I have been involved in
conversations and meetings with the new Superintendent Mark Crawford, Principal
Richard During, Art Dept. Chair Kathleen Hall and art teacher Elizabeth Rechtin about
the possibility of its becoming an art course. We have also toyed with the idea of its
becoming available for technology credit as well. Currently the new computer lab for the
art department, a part of the recent building project, has 16 computers with editing
software. There is a possibility that next year I would team teach the course with
Elizabeth who is willing to takes courses to acquire the skills and knowledge, possibly
through Project Look Sharp. Since I am retiring from teaching in 3 -5 years, this would
ensure that there would be someone willing and able to continue the program. For the
program to grow in my room at Dryden, I would need more computer stations, which
would mean laptops because of spatial constraints of my classroom. If we get the local
support we need, there is a possibility of offering two sections of the course yearlong or
each semester. Staffing needs, lab availability and money all factor into our plans.
Equipment owned by PEGASYS
3 copies of Adobe Premiere 6.0
3 Dell computers (ID codes: FGMQD - JGXGM - WRJFW- BRR4M- CMYBY; XKMBQ-
KPMFB-H28FP-WC678-RQQ43; and W6XMG- GQQQK- QXYQ6- 86TT4- JFK2G)
1 Titlemaker and Anvil case with mobile unit (used twice before monitor broke and VCR
broke)
2 Sony DV cameras and cases
4 Sony Hi -8 cameras and cases
Future Needs
Because the program is in flux, it is hard to ascertain our precise needs. I see the need for
a few items at minimum
A few more DV cameras
A couple of microphones —we currently have none
A dual dubbing deck or DVD burner if PEGASYS is changing formats in the near future
A couple of tripods
If the program were to continue to run in my class, then a few laptops with external
drives to set up as editing stations.
Copyright free CD's